Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

capillarity

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 1.24 in modern English

Syllables: cap-il-lar-i-ty
IPA

18

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

5

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The interaction between the surfaces of a solid and liquid in contact that distorts the normal geometry of the liquid surface; especially the rise or fall of a liquid in a fine tube.

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"Hence the allowance to be made for diminution of the height of a mercurial column, owing to capillarity, is determined by two considerations — the diameter of the tube and versed sine of the corresponding meniscus."

Etymology

From French capillarité.

Origin

Source language: French

Word Breakdown

Root: capillarité

Usage

Inflected Forms

capillarities (plural)

Derived Forms

elastocapillarity electrocapillarity noncapillarity thermocapillarity

Phrases

surface tension

Frequently Paired Words

meniscus surface tension

Synonyms

capillary action wicking

Questions

What does capillarity mean?: The interaction between the surfaces of a solid and liquid in contact that distorts the normal geometry of the liquid surface; especially the rise or fall of a liquid in a fine tube.
Where does capillarity come from?: It is traced to French.

How to pronounce capillarity

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