tensiometer

[ ten-see-om-i-ter ]

noun

1. an instrument for measuring longitudinal stress in wires, structural beams, etc.
2. an instrument for measuring the surface tension of a liquid.

tensiometer

/ ˌtɛnsɪˈɒmɪtə /

noun

1. an instrument for measuring the tensile strength of a wire, beam, etc
2. a device that measures differences in vapour pressures. It is used to determine transition points by observing changes of vapour pressure with temperature
3. an instrument for measuring the surface tension of a liquid, usually consisting of a sensitive balance for measuring the force needed to pull a wire ring from the surface of the liquid
4. an instrument for measuring the moisture content of soil

Word History and Origins

Origin of tensiometer¹

First recorded in 1910–15; tensio(n) + -meter