Osmosis is the process by which a liquid passes through a thin piece of solid substance such as the roots of a plant.
[technical]
...the processes of diffusion and osmosis.
2. uncountable noun [usu by/throughN]
If you say that people influence each other byosmosis, or that skills are gained byosmosis, you mean that this is done gradually and without any obvious effort.
[formal]
She allowed her life to be absorbed by his, taking on as if by osmosis his likesand dislikes.
osmosis in British English
(ɒzˈməʊsɪs, ɒs-)
noun
1.
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.
diffusion through any membrane or porous barrier, as in dialysis
3.
gradual or unconscious assimilation or adoption, as of ideas
Derived forms
osmotic (ɒzˈmɒtɪk, ɒs-)
adjective
osmotically (osˈmotically)
adverb
Word origin
C19: Latinized form from osmose (n), from Greek ōsmos push, thrust
osmosis in American English
(ɑsˈmoʊsɪs; ɑzˈmoʊsɪs)
noun
1.
the tendency of a solvent to pass through a semipermeable membrane, as the wall of a living cell,into a solution of higher concentration, so as to equalize concentrations on both sides of the membrane
2.
the diffusion of fluids through a membrane or porous partition
3.
an apparently effortless absorption of ideas, feelings, attitudes, etc., as if by biological osmosis
Derived forms
osmotic (osˈmotic) (ɑsˈmɑtɪk; ɑzˈmɑtɪk)
adjective
osmotically (osˈmotically)
adverb
Word origin
ModL, ult. < Gr ōsmos, impulse < ōthein, to push < IE base *wedh-, to push, strike > Sans vádhar-, deadly weapon
Examples of 'osmosis' in a sentence
osmosis
The atmosphere of paranoid terror quickly seeped into me by some sort of awful corporate osmosis.
Alex George LOVE YOU MADLY (2002)
I wanted a look at the place, thought I might pick up something by osmosis.
Jon Cleary YESTERDAY'S SHADOW (2002)
She believed she had found happiness and imagined she would acquire wisdom through osmosis.
Adair, Tom (Intro) THREE KINDS OF KISSING - SCOTTISH SHORT STORIES (2002)
As the power of the stranger's presence communicated itself by some mysterious osmosis to the room, the second surprise took place.