capillarity

cap·il·lar·i·ty

noun \ˌka-pə-ˈler-ə-tē, -ˈla-rə-\

plural cap·il·lar·i·ties

Definition of CAPILLARITY

1

: the property or state of being capillary

2

: the action by which the surface of a liquid where it is in contact with a solid (as in a capillary tube) is elevated or depressed depending on the relative attraction of the molecules of the liquid for each other and for those of the solid

First Known Use of CAPILLARITY

1830

cap·il·lar·i·ty

noun \ˌkap-ə-ˈlar-ət-ē\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural cap·il·lar·i·ties

Medical Definition of CAPILLARITY

: the action by which the surface of a liquid where it is in contact with a solid (as in a capillary tube) is elevated or depressed depending on the relative attraction of the molecules of the liquid for each other and for those of the solid

capillarity

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Rise or fall of liquid in a small passage or tube. When a glass tube of small internal diameter is inserted into water, the surface water molecules are attracted to the glass and the water level in the tube rises. The narrower the tube, the higher the water rises. The water is said to “wet” the tube. Water will also be drawn into the fibres of a towel, even if the towel is in a horizontal position. Conversely, if a glass tube is inserted into mercury, the level of the liquid in the tube falls. The mercury does not wet the tube. Capillarity is caused by the difference in attraction of the liquid molecules to each other and the attraction of the liquid molecules to those of the tube.