Definitions for osmosisɒzˈmoʊ sɪs, ɒs-
Random House Webster's College Dictionary
os•mo•sisɒzˈmoʊ sɪs, ɒs-(n.)
the tendency of a fluid, usu. 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. the diffusion of fluids through membranes or porous partitions.
Category: Biochemistry, Chemistry
a subtle or gradual absorption:
to learn by osmosis.
Origin of osmosis:
1865–70; Latinized form of now obs. osmose osmosis, extracted from endosmose endosmosis < F, =end-end - + Gk ōsm(ós) push, thrust + F -ose -osis
os•mot′i•cal•ly(adv.)
Princeton's WordNet
osmosis(noun)
(biology, chemistry) diffusion of molecules through a semipermeable membrane from a place of higher concentration to a place of lower concentration until the concentration on both sides is equal
Wiktionary
osmosis(Noun)
The net movement of solvent molecules from a region of high solvent potential to a region of lower solvent potential through a partially permeable membrane
osmosis(Noun)
Picking up knowledge accidentally, without actually seeking that particular knowledge.
I was reading about chickens, and I guess I learned about hawks through osmosis.
U.S. National Library of Medicine
Osmosis
Tendency of fluids (e.g., water) to move from the less concentrated to the more concentrated side of a semipermeable membrane.
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