os·mo·sis ( z-m  s s, s-)n. pl. os·mo·ses (-s  z) 1. a. Diffusion of fluid through a semipermeable membrane from a solution with a low solute concentration to a solution with a higher solute concentration until there is an equal concentration of fluid on both sides of the membrane. b. The tendency of fluids to diffuse in such a manner. 2. A gradual, often unconscious process of assimilation or absorption: learned French by osmosis while residing in Paris for 15 years. [From obsolete osmose, from earlier endosmose, from French : Greek endo-, endo- + Greek smos, thrust, push (from thein, to push).]os·mot ic (-mtk) adj.os·mot i·cal·ly adv. |
osmosis [ɒzˈməʊsɪs ɒs-]
n
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) (Chemistry) 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
2. (Physics / General Physics) diffusion through any membrane or porous barrier, as in dialysis
3. gradual or unconscious assimilation or adoption, as of ideas
[Latinized form from osmose (n), from Greek ōsmos push, thrust]
osmotic [ɒzˈmɒtɪk ɒs-] adj
osmotically adv
| osmosis (z-mss) 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. |   left: The concentration of sugar molecules is greater on the right side of the membrane than on the left. The water molecules are small enough to move across the membrane, but the larger sugar molecules cannot pass through. right: The water molecules move across the membrane until the water and sugar molecules are of equal concentration on both sides. This lowers the water level on the left side and raises it on the right side. |
osmosis
the process by which fluids pass through a semipermeable membrane into a solution of lower concentration to equalize the concentration on both sides of the membrane. — osmotic, adj.
See also: Processesthe process by which fluids pass through a semipermeable membrane into a solution of lower concentration to equalize the concentration on both sides of the membrane. — osmotic, adj.
See also: Cells
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  osmosis - (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 equaldialysis - separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes biological science, biology - the science that studies living organisms chemical science, chemistry - the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions diffusion - (physics) the process in which there is movement of a substance from an area of high concentration of that substance to an area of lower concentration reverse osmosis - (chemistry) a method of producing pure water; a solvent passes through a semipermeable membrane in a direction opposite to that for natural osmosis when it is subjected to a hydrostatic pressure greater than the osmotic pressure |
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