[oz-moh-sis, os-] 
| 1. | Physical Chemistry, Cell Biology.
|
| 2. | a subtle or gradual absorption or mingling: He never studies but seems to learn by osmosis. |
| os·mo·sis (ŏz-mō'sĭs, ŏs-) n. pl. os·mo·ses (-sēz)
[From obsolete osmose, from earlier endosmose, from French : Greek endo-, endo- + Greek ōsmos, thrust, push (from ōthein, to push).] os·mot'ic (-mŏt'ĭk) adj., os·mot'i·cal·ly adv. |
The seeping of a fluid through a seemingly solid barrier, such as a cell wall or a rubber sheet. When the concentration of the fluid is the same on both sides of the barrier, osmosis stops.
Note: Informally, “osmosis” is the process by which information or concepts come to a person without conscious effort: “Living in Paris, he learned French slang by osmosis.”
osmosis os·mo·sis (ŏz-mō'sĭs, ŏs-)
n. pl. os·mo·ses (-sēz)
Diffusion of fluid through a semipermeable membrane until there is an equal concentration of fluid on both sides of the membrane.
The tendency of fluids to diffuse in such a manner.
sɪs