aqueous, a.
(ˈeɪkwiːəs)
[f. as if from L. *aqueus (cf. terreus f. terra) + -ous. Cf. Fr. aqueux (ad. L. aquōsus), 16th c. in Littré.]
1. a. Of, or of the nature of, water; watery; diluted with water.
| 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 336 The phlegme or aqueous evaporation. 1667 Boyle in Phil. Trans. II. 608 To freeze an Aqueous body. 1794 Sullivan View Nat. I. 120 The aggregation of aqueous particles in the air, forming the drops of rain. 1860 Maury Phys. Geog. Sea iv. §228 Aqueous vapour is very much lighter than atmospheric air. 1871 Tyndall Fragm. Sc. I. iv. 115 Aqueous hydrochloric acid. |
b. aqueous humour of the eye.
| 1643 Herle Answ. Ferne 2 It sees every thing coloured, as the distemper of the aqueous humour..gives it tincture. 1879 G. C. Harlan Eyesight ii. 20 The aqueous humor is nearly pure water, and is contained in the space between the cornea and lens. |
2. Connected with, or relating to, water.
| 1731 Bailey, Aqueous Ducts..whereby the aqueous humour is supposed to be conveyed into the inside of the membranes which inclose that liquor. 1860 Maury Phys. Geog. Sea ii. §96 The aqueous equilibrium of the planet would thereby be disturbed. |
3. Geol. Of or pertaining to water as an agent; produced by the action of water.
| 1802 Playfair Illustr. Hutton. The. 320 The general system of aqueous deposition. 1833 Lyell Elem. Geol. i. (1874) 3 The ‘aqueous’ rocks, sometimes called the sedimentary. |
4. as n. Short for aqueous humour: see 1 b.
| 1879 St. George's Hospital Rep. IX. 481 During one week she had the aqueous tapped daily. |