View synonyms for osmosis

osmosis

[ oz-moh-sis, os- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Physical Chemistry, Cell Biology.
1. the tendency of a fluid, usually water, to pass through a semipermeable membrane into a solution where the solvent concentration is higher, thus equalizing the concentrations of materials on either side of the membrane.
2. the diffusion of fluids through membranes or porous partitions. Compare endosmosis, exosmosis.
a subtle or gradual absorption or mingling:
He never studies but seems to learn by osmosis.

osmosis

/ ɒzˈməʊsɪs; ɒzˈmɒtɪk; ɒs-; ɒs- /

noun

the passage of a solvent through a semipermeable membrane from a less concentrated to a more concentrated solution until both solutions are of the same concentration
diffusion through any membrane or porous barrier, as in dialysis
gradual or unconscious assimilation or adoption, as of ideas

osmosis

/ ŏz-mō′sĭs /

The movement of a solvent through a membrane separating two solutions of different concentrations. The solvent from the side of weaker concentration usually moves to the side of the stronger concentration, diluting it, until the concentrations of the solutions are equal on both sides of the membrane.
◆ The pressure exerted by the molecules of the solvent on the membrane they pass through is called osmotic pressure. Osmotic pressure is the energy driving osmosis and is important for living organisms because it allows water and nutrients dissolved in water to pass through cell membranes.

osmosis

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.

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Notes

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.”

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Derived Forms

osˈmotically, adverb
osmotic, adjective

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Other Words From

os·mot·ic [oz-, mot, -ik, os-], adjective
os·moti·cal·ly adverb
nonos·motic adjective
nonos·moti·cal·ly adverb
unos·motic adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of osmosis¹

First recorded in 1865–70; Latinized form of obsolete osmose, extracted from endosmose endosmosis ( def ), exosmose exosmosis ( def ), from French, equivalent to end- end-, ex- ex- ² + Greek ōsm(ós) “a push, thrust” + French -ose -osis

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Word History and Origins

Origin of osmosis¹

C19: Latinized form from osmose (n), from Greek ōsmos push, thrust

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Example Sentences

A reverse osmosis plant on an adjacent plot of land desalinates and purifies up to 1.25 million gallons of water daily.

From The Daily Beast

And through basic cultural osmosis you learned its broad outlines: woman, travel, freeing of spirit, yoga.

From The Daily Beast

Any winery that possesses a reverse-osmosis machine—usually used to remove alcohol from wine—can create their own concentrates.

From The Daily Beast

In simple animals, as the sponge and hydra, no such organs are needed, the fluid food passing from cell to cell by osmosis.

From Project Gutenberg

No breathing organs are seen, because osmosis of oxygen and carbon dioxide may take place anywhere through the cell membrane.

From Project Gutenberg

The cell absorbs oxygen from the water by osmosis through its delicate membrane, giving up carbon dioxide in return.

From Project Gutenberg

Nourishment passes through them by a simple process of osmosis.

From Project Gutenberg

Non-osmosis of non-digested foods, comparison between osmosable qualities of starch and grape sugar.

From Project Gutenberg

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