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porous

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po⋅rous

[pawr-uhs, pohr-]
–adjective
1. full of pores.
2. permeable by water, air, etc.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME, var. of porose < ML porōsus. See pore 2 , -ous


po⋅rous⋅ly, adverb
po⋅rous⋅ness, noun


2. penetrable, pervious, sievelike, riddled.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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po·rous   (pôr'əs, pōr'-)   
adj.  
  1. Full of or having pores.

  2. Admitting the passage of gas or liquid through pores or interstices.

  3. Easily crossed or penetrated.


[Middle English, from Old French poreux, poros, from Medieval Latin porōsus, from Latin porus, passage; see pore2.]
po'rous·ly adv., po'rous·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

porous 
1392, "full of pores," from M.Fr. poreux (14c.), M.L. porosus, from L. porus "opening" (see pore (n.)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: po·rous
Pronunciation: 'pOr-&s, 'por-
Function: adjective
1 : possessing or full of pores <porous bones>
2 : permeable to fluids
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

porous po·rous (pôr'əs)
adj.

  1. Full of or having pores.

  2. Admitting the passage of gas or liquid through pores.


po'rous·ness n.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
porous   (pôr'əs)  Pronunciation Key 
Having many pores or other small spaces that can hold a gas or liquid or allow it to pass through.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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