viscosity Hear it!

viscosity definition

vis·cos·ity (vis käs′ə tē)

noun pl. viscosities -·ties

  1. the state or quality of being viscous
    1. Physics the internal friction of a fluid which makes it resist flowing past a solid surface or other layers of the fluid: symbol, η
    2. a measure of this; specif., a number indicating the ability of a motor oil to maintain its viscosity with seasonal changes of temperature

Etymology: ME viscosite < ML viscositas

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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