View synonyms for adhesion

adhesion

[ ad-hee-zhuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the act or state of adhering; state of being adhered or united:
the adhesion of parts united by growth.
steady or devoted attachment, support, etc.; adherence.
assent; concurrence.
Physics. the molecular force of attraction in the area of contact between unlike bodies that acts to hold them together. Compare cohesion ( def 2 ).
Pathology.
1. the abnormal union of adjacent tissues.
2. the tissue involved.
Botany. the union of normally separate parts.
Railroads.
1. the frictional resistance of rails to the tendency of driving wheels to slip.
2. factor of adhesion.

adhesion

/ ədˈhiːʒən /

noun

the quality or condition of sticking together or holding fast
ability to make firm contact without skidding or slipping
attachment or fidelity, as to a political party, cause, etc
an attraction or repulsion between the molecules of unlike substances in contact: distinguished from cohesion
pathol abnormal union of structures or parts

adhesion

/ ăd-hē′zhən /

The force of attraction that causes two different substances to join. Adhesion causes water to spread out over glass.
Compare cohesion
A fibrous band of abnormal tissue that binds together tissues that are normally separate. Adhesions form during the healing of some wounds, usually as a result of inflammation.

adhesion

The molecular ( see molecule ) attraction that holds the surfaces of two dissimilar substances together. ( Compare cohesion .)

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Usage

Adhesion is the preferred term when talking about sticking or holding fast in a physical sense. Adherence is preferred when talking about attachment to a political party, cause, etc

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Other Words From

ad·hesion·al adjective
nonad·hesion noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of adhesion¹

1615–25; < Medieval Latin adhēsiōn- for Latin adhaesiōn- (stem of adhaesiō ) a clinging, equivalent to adhaes ( us ), past participle of adhaerēre to adhere + -iōn- -ion

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Word History and Origins

Origin of adhesion¹

C17: from Latin adhaesiōn- a sticking. See adhere

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Example Sentences

Mr. Asquith evidently has given in his adhesion to the new system of "colour adjectives."

From Project Gutenberg

With the Restoration the Marshal at once accepted the change of government and gave his adhesion to the Bourbons.

From Project Gutenberg

The adhesion to the clearing circulation is at once requested by the Post Office, of adherents to the cheque service.

From Project Gutenberg

When you want to use it, mix the Roe with a little wheaten flour and gum water, to cause adhesion to the hook.

From Project Gutenberg

The distant colonies of the crown of Castile, in America and the Indies, sent in their adhesion.

From Project Gutenberg

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adhering adhesive

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