viscosity

noun vis·cos·i·ty \vis-ˈkä-sə-tē\

plural vis·cos·i·ties

Definition of VISCOSITY

: the quality or state of being viscous

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

: 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

See viscosity defined for kids

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

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

Medical Dictionary

viscosity

noun vis·cos·i·ty \vis-ˈkäs-ət-ē\

plural vis·cos·i·ties

Medical Definition of VISCOSITY

: the quality of being viscous; especially : the property of resistance to flow in a fluid or semifluid

: 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