hygroscopic

[ hahy-gruh-skop-ik ]

/ ˌhaɪ grəˈskɒp ɪk /

adjective

absorbing or attracting moisture from the air.

Words nearby hygroscopic

hygrometric, hygrometry, hygrophilous, hygrophyte, hygroscope, hygroscopic, hygrostat, hygrothermograph, hygroton, hying, hyksos

Origin of hygroscopic

First recorded in 1765–75; hygroscope + -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM hygroscopic

hy·gro·scop·i·cal·ly, adverbhy·gro·sco·pic·i·ty

[hahy-gruh-skoh-pis-i-tee] /ˌhaɪ grə skoʊˈpɪs ɪ ti/, nounnon·hy·gro·scop·ic, adjectivenon·hy·gro·scop·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for hygroscopic

Hygroscopic properties of starch produced from different plants.
The Commercial Products of the Vegetable Kingdom|P. L. Simmonds
Now, these styles are hygroscopic—that is, they are influenced by changes in the condition of the atmosphere as regards moisture.
Field and Woodland Plants|William S. Furneaux
The degree of wind, temperature, and hygroscopic conditions of the atmosphere.
Surgical Experiences in South Africa, 1899-1900|George Henry Makins
Hygroscopic′ity; Hygrostat′ics, the art of measuring degrees of moisture.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M)|Various

The phloroglucide is hygroscopic, and must be weighed out of contact with the air.
Researches on Cellulose|C. F. Cross

British Dictionary definitions for hygroscopic

hygroscopic

/ (ˌhaɪɡrəˈskɒpɪk) /

adjective

(of a substance) tending to absorb water from the air

Derived forms of hygroscopic

hygroscopically, adverbhygroscopicity (ˌhaɪɡrəskəʊˈpɪsɪtɪ), noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for hygroscopic

hygroscopic

[ hī′grə-skŏp′ĭk ]

adj.

Readily absorbing moisture, as from the atmosphere.

Scientific definitions for hygroscopic

hygroscopic

[ hī′grə-skŏp′ĭk ]

Relating to a compound that easily absorbs moisture from the atmosphere.