viscosity
Definitions
The degree to which a fluid resists flowing; its thickness or stickiness
黏度，黏性（流体抵抗流动的程度）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedviscous (sticky, thick) + -ity (state, quality) = 'the quality of being sticky/thick.' Note: despite the spelling, this comes from Latin viscum (birdlime, sticky paste), not from viscera (organs) — a look-alike, not a relative.
Why It Means This
Viscosity comes from viscum, the sticky mistletoe paste Romans spread on branches to trap birds. That stickiness became the name for any fluid's reluctance to flow: honey, tar, and motor oil are high-viscosity; water and alcohol are low. It only looks like visceral by coincidence.
Common Collocations
- 1.high viscosity高黏度
- 2.low viscosity低黏度
- 3.increase viscosity增加黏度
- 4.measure viscosity测量黏度
- 5.kinematic viscosity运动黏度
Example Sentences
- 1.
Cold weather raises the viscosity of engine oil, making it flow slowly.
- 2.
Honey has a much higher viscosity than water.
- 3.
Engineers measure viscosity to choose the right lubricant.