hygroscopic

[ hahy-gruh-skop-ik ]

/ ˌhaɪ grəˈskɒp ɪk /

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adjective

absorbing or attracting moisture from the air.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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. 2023

How to use hygroscopic in a sentence

One of the physical properties of wool is its hygroscopicity or power of absorbing moisture.
The Chemistry of Hat Manufacturing|Watson Smith
According to Seger this hygroscopicity distinguishes true clay from silt and dust.
The Natural History of Clay|Alfred B. Searle
The hygroscopicity of the sand of the coast of Jutland he found to be thirty-three per cent.
Man and Nature|George P. Marsh
Hygroscopicity and "working" are reduced but not eliminated by thorough drying.
Seasoning of Wood|Joseph B. Wagner

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

Scientific definitions for hygroscopic

hygroscopic

[ hī′grə-skŏp′ĭk ]

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