viscidity
(vɪˈsɪdɪtɪ)
[f. prec. + -ity. Cf. obs. F. viscidité (16th c.).]
1. The quality of being viscid; glutinousness, stickiness, ropiness.
| 1611 Cotgr., Viscidité, visciditie;..viscositie. 1658 Phillips, Viscidity or Viscosity, a clamminesse, a sticking to any thing like glue or bird lime. 1686 Plot Staffordsh. 100 The Sulphur by its viscidity, does..sweeten the pungency of the Salt. 1707 Floyer Physic. Pulse-Watch 189 Then we must dilute the Viscidity of the Humours if it be sizy. 1758 Descr. Thames 170 Salmon..offends the Stomach by its Viscidity. 1773 Phil. Trans. LXIV. 30 The density, viscidity, and other qualities of this matter. 1836–9 Todd's Cycl. Anat. II. 101/2 The viscidity of the solution of sugar..is very little above that of pure water. 1876 Bartholow Mat. Med. (1879) 469 Castor-oil has a pale amber-color,..and is quite viscid. Cold increases the viscidity. |
2. A collection or accumulation of viscid humours; viscid matter or substance.
| c 1720 Gibson Farrier's Guide ii. xxxix. (1738) 144 The cure consists in all those things that are proper to destroy the Viscidities in the Bowels. 1743 tr. Heister's Surg. 193 For by this means all Viscidities in the Blood will be diluted. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1862) I. xvi. 90 The parts of the fluid rubbing against each other, destroy all viscidities. 1846 Landor Imag. Conv. Wks. II. 237/1 They must have honey, sugar, cinnamon... Dante and Ariosto, different as they are, equally avoided these sweet viscidities. |