semifluid

American  

[sem-ee-floo-id, sem-ahy-] / ˌsɛm iˈflu ɪd, ˌsɛm aɪ- /

adjective

1. imperfectly fluid; having both fluid and solid characteristics; semiliquid.

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noun

1. a semifluid substance.

semifluid British  

/ ˌsɛmɪˈfluːɪd /

adjective

1. having properties between those of a liquid and those of a solid

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noun

1. a substance that has such properties because of high viscosity

   tar is a semifluid

Other Word Forms

• semifluidity
  noun

Etymology

Origin of semifluid

First recorded in 1725–35; semi- + fluid

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

semifluid

With a heavy splash her burden fell from her back and commenced to settle slowly into the semifluid ooze.

From Time Magazine Archive

A few minutes after the food enters, the stomach secretes hydrochloric acid and pepsin which digest the food into a sour semifluid called chyme.

From Time Magazine Archive

It is sometimes so fluid as to be capable of forming in drops, sometimes semifluid, sometimes almost solid.

From Evolution An Investigation and a Critique by Theodore Graebner

A specimen of the balsam examined by Flückiger consisted of 54.44 parts semifluid resin and 45.56 volatile material.

From The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by Jerome Beers Thomas

The idea," writes the eminent reviewer, "that a glacier is a semifluid body is no doubt startling, especially to those who have seen the apparently rigid ice of which it is composed.

From The Glaciers of the Alps Being a narrative of excursions and ascents, etc. by John Tyndall