Meaning & Definition of word "Osmosis"
to
Osmosis
/ɒzˈmoʊsɪs/
noun:
- 1. The process by which molecules of a solvent tend to pass through a semipermeable membrane from a less concentrated solution into a more concentrated one, thus equalizing the concentrations on the two sides of the membrane.
- Example: Plants absorb water from the soil through osmosis, enabling them to thrive.
- 2. The process of gradual or unconscious assimilation of ideas, knowledge, or information.
- Example: Children often learn languages through osmosis, picking up vocabulary by being surrounded by fluent speakers.
- 3. The diffusion of fluids through a membrane in living organisms.
- Example: In the human body, osmosis is vital for maintaining cell turgor pressure and nutrient absorption.
- 4. The phenomenon in which something is transferred or acquired indirectly or subtly.
- Example: The team's collaborative environment promoted the osmosis of innovative ideas among members.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek 'osmōsis', meaning 'push' or 'pressure'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
social osmosis:
The process by which individuals absorb cultural norms and values from their environment.
osmosis effect:
The influence of one thing on another through gradual exposure.
osmosis of knowledge:
The unintentional learning or assimilation of information from one's surroundings.
Related Words
diffusion:
The process of spreading something more widely, often referring to substances moving from areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration.
semi-permeable:
Referring to a membrane that allows certain substances to pass through but not others.
Slang Meanings of osmosis
Meaning: To learn something passively without effort.
Example Sentence: I didn’t study for the test, I just picked up the info through osmosis in class.
Meaning: To absorb cultural trends or knowledge naturally.
Example Sentence: Living in the city, I’m just osmosising all the cool art and music vibes.