1392, from Anglo-Fr. viscous, from L.L. viscosus "sticky," from L. viscum "anything sticky, birdlime made from mistletoe, mistletoe," probably from PIE base *weis- "to melt away, flow" (used of foul or malodorous fluids); see virus.
Main Entry: vis·cous Pronunciation: 'vis-k&s Function: adjective 1: having a glutinous consistency and the quality of sticking oradhering :VISCID 2: having or characterized by viscosity viscous flow>