osmosis

 
Pronunciation: /ɒzˈməʊsɪs/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1 Biology & Chemistry a process by which molecules of a solvent tend to pass through a semipermeable membrane from a less concentrated solution into a more concentrated one.
  • 2the process of gradual or unconscious assimilation of ideas, knowledge, etc.: by some strange political osmosis, private reputations became public

Derivatives

osmotic

Pronunciation: /-ˈmɒtɪk/
adjective

osmotically

Pronunciation: /-ˈmɒtɪk(ə)li/
adverb

Origin:

mid 19th century: Latinized form of earlier osmose, from Greek ōsmos 'a push'