viscosity

vis·cos·i·ty

noun \vis-ˈkä-sə-tē\

plural vis·cos·i·ties

Definition of VISCOSITY

1

: the quality or state of being viscous

2

: the property of resistance to flow in a fluid or semifluid

3

: the ratio of the tangential frictional force per unit area to the velocity gradient perpendicular to the direction of flow of a liquid —called also coefficient of viscosity

Examples of VISCOSITY

1. <conducted an experiment to determine the viscosity of motor oil>

Origin of VISCOSITY

Middle English viscosite, from Anglo-French viscosité, from Medieval Latin viscositat-, viscositas, from Late Latin viscosus viscous

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to VISCOSITY

Synonyms: consistence, density, thickness, viscidity, consistency

Related Words: compactness, firmness, solidity; ropiness, stickiness

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Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

Rhymes with VISCOSITY

atrocity, callosity, ferocity, gibbosity, monstrosity, pomposity, porosity, precocity, velocity, verbosity, zygosity