syneresis

[ si-ner-uh-sis ]

noun

1. synaeresis.
2. Physical Chemistry. the contraction of a gel accompanied by the exudation of liquid.

syneresis

/ sɪˈnɪərɪsɪs /

noun

1. chem the process in which a gel contracts on standing and exudes liquid, as in the separation of whey in cheese-making
2. the contraction of two vowels into a diphthong
3. another word for synizesis

Word History and Origins

Origin of syneresis¹

First recorded in 1570–80; variant of synaeresis

Word History and Origins

Origin of syneresis¹

C16: via Late Latin from Greek sunairesis a shortening, from sunairein to draw together, from syn- + hairein to take

Example Sentences

Note that the union of vowels in separate words is called synalepha, while the union of vowels within a word is called syneresis.

From Project Gutenberg

Syneresis, Synresis, si-ner′e-sis, n. the coalescence of two vowels or syllables—opp.

From Project Gutenberg

But synalepha may occur in combinations of vowels in which syneresis would be impossible.

From Project Gutenberg