wetting agent

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. any admixture to a liquid for increasing its ability to penetrate, or spread over the surface of, a given material, especially cloth, paper, or leather.

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wetting agent British  

noun

1. chem any substance added to a liquid to lower its surface tension and thus increase its ability to spread across or penetrate into a solid

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Etymology

Origin of wetting agent

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

The report listed about two dozen courses that call themselves organic, but noted that most used some synthetic chemical pesticide, fertilizer or wetting agent.

From New York Times • Aug. 17, 2010

What was needed was a wetting agent for the mercury.

From Time Magazine Archive

The reason for Dr. Ravenel's hopefulness is a detergent or "wetting agent" which is nebulized in a croupette or oxygen tent.

From Time Magazine Archive