hygroscopicadj.
/hʌɪɡrəʊˈskɒpɪk/ 1. Pertaining to the hygroscope or hygroscopy; relating to the degree of humidity of the air, hygrometric.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > moisture or humidity > [adjective] > relating to measurement of humidity
hygrometrical1773
hygroscopic1775
hygroscopical1775
hygrometric1813
psychrometric1838
psychrometrical1843
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > study or science of weather > meteorological instruments > [adjective] > relating to hygroscope
hygroscopic1775
hygroscopical1775
1775 J. Ash New Dict. Eng. Lang. Hygroscopic, belonging to the hygroscope.
1832 W. Macgillivray Trav. & Researches A. von Humboldt xxiii. 332 Experiments on the constitution of the air,—its elasticity, its electrical, magnetic, and hygroscopic qualities.
2. spec. Said of bodies which readily absorb moisture from the air, so as to swell up, contract in length, or change form or consistence, and thus indicate roughly the presence or absence of humidity; sensitive to moisture.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > action or process of absorbing > [adjective]
soakingc1440
drinking1583
spongy1609
bibbing1633
absorptive1664
absorbing1666
bibulous1676
absorbent1694
insorbent1756
hygroscopic1790
obsorbent1902
the world > matter > liquid > moisture or humidity > [adjective] > relating to measurement of humidity > specifically of bodies that indicate humidity levels
hygrometric1785
hygroscopic1790
hygrometrical1861
1790 De Luc in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 81 2 An hygroscopic body, which is not brought into contact with any other body drier than itself, cannot lose any part of its moisture but by evaporation.
1875 H. C. Wood Treat. Therapeutics (1879) 583 Glycerine..is very hygroscopic, and absorbs water from the air.
1880 C. Darwin & F. Darwin Power of Movement in Plants 489 The hygroscopic movements of plants.
3. = hygrometric adj. 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > moisture or humidity > [adjective] > of diffused moisture which imparts humidity
hygrometrica1835
hygroscopic1862
1862 London Rev. & Weekly Jrnl. 26 July 85 Moisture, but not in the form of rain..aqueous vapour in the air, and hygroscopic moisture in the soil.
1885 G. L. Goodale in A. Gray & G. L. Goodale Bot. Text-bk. (ed. 6) II. ii. viii. 242 Water..which adheres to the particles of an air-dry soil and which does not affect at all the appearance of the particles..has been called..hygroscopic water.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2020).
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adj.1775