capillary attraction

n.
The force that results from greater adhesion of a liquid to a solid surface than internal cohesion of the liquid itself and that causes the liquid to be raised against a vertical surface, as water is in a clean glass tube. It is the force that allows a porous material to soak up a liquid.

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n.

A surface force of adhesion that causes fluids to rise along or into solid materials.

n

The quality or state that, because of surface tension, causes elevation or depression of the surface of a liquid that is in contact with a solid. Considered to be one of the factors in retention of complete dentures.

For a list of words related to capillary attraction, see:

• Principles of Mechanics, Waves, and Measurement - capillary attraction: tendency of liquid to rise in narrow tube or move through absorbent material, due to greater adhesion of liquid to solid than internal adhesion of the liquid itself
• Physical Properties and Changes - capillary attraction: tendency of a liquid to rise in a narrow tube or move through absorbent material, due to greater adhesion of the liquid to the solid than the internal adhesion of the liquid itself

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