osmosis

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See also: ósmosis

English

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Etymology

From endosmose and exosmose, both coined by French physician Henri Dutrochet in 1826; from (respectively) Ancient Greek ἔνδον (éndon, “within”) and Ancient Greek ἔξω (éxō, “outer, external”), plus Ancient Greek ὠσμός (ōsmós, “push, impulsion”), from ὠθέω (ōthéō).

Pronunciation

Noun

osmosis (countable and uncountable, plural osmoses)

  1. (chemistry) The net movement of solvent molecules, usually water, from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration through a partially permeable membrane.
  2. (figurative) Passive absorption or impartation of information, habits, etc.; the act of teaching or picking up particular knowledge incidentally, without actually seeking it.
    Synonym: serendipity
    I was reading about chickens, and I guess I learned about hawks through osmosis.
    • 1999, Neil Gaiman, Stardust (Perennial paperback), published 2001, pages 36–37:
      At age fourteen, by a process of osmosis, of dirty jokes, whispered secrets and filthy ballads, Tristram learned of sex.

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Translations

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