• Osmosis

    Full definition of osmosis

    Noun

    osmosis

    (plural osmoses)
    1. The net movement of solvent molecules from a region of high solvent potential to a region of lower solvent potential through a partially permeable membrane
    2. (slang) Picking up knowledge accidentally, without actually seeking that particular knowledge.I was reading about chickens, and I guess I learned about hawks through osmosis.
      • 1999, Neil Gaiman, Stardust, pages 36-37 (2001 Perennial paperback edition)At age fourteen, by a process of osmosis, of dirty jokes, whispered secrets and filthy ballads, Tristram learned of sex.

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