osmolal, a.
(ɒzˈməʊləl)
[Blend of osmotic a. and molal a.]
Of the concentration of a solution: expressed as an osmolality.
| 1939 [see milliosmol s.v. milli-]. 1971 W. S. Beck Human Design x. 348/2 The osmotic concentration measured by freezing point depression is properly termed an osmolal concentration—milliosmols of solute per kilogram of solvent—in contrast to an osmolar concentration—milliosmols of solute per liter of solution. The two values differ only slightly in ordinary dilute solutions, however. |
Hence osmoˈlality, the number of osmotically effective dissolved particles per unit quantity of a solution, esp. when expressed as (milli)osmols per kilogramme of solvent. Cf. osmolarity.
| 1959 Q. Jrnl. Med. LII. 237 The blood was centrifuged, and the plasma osmolality (m-osmoles per kg.) estimated from the freezing-point depression. 1963 Jrnl. Amer. Med. Assoc. 31 Aug. 699/1 Normal subjects are characterized by an initial serum osmolality between 273 and 293 milliosmoles (mOsm) per kilogram. 1968 Passmore & Robson Compan. Med. Stud. I. v. 29/1 Sweat..is essentially a weak solution of sodium chloride. The osmolality lies between 100 and 200 mOsm/l. 1972 [see milliosmole s.v. milli-]. 1974 Nature 12 Apr. 605/1 Controls of the osmotic pressure of the solutions of inorganic ions..showed that their osmolalities were practically independent of temperature. 1976 Lancet 25 Dec. 1414/1 A man of 61 was admitted to the neurology unit in stupor, which proved to be hyponatræmic (serum osmolality 236 mosmol/kg). |