äzˈmōsə̇s, äˈsm- noun
( plural osmo·ses -ōˌsēz)
Etymology: alteration (influenced by Greek -sis ) of osmose (I)
1. : the flow or diffusion that takes place through a semipermeable membrane (as of a living cell) typically separating either a solvent (as water) and a solution or a dilute solution and a concentrated solution and thus bringing about conditions for equalizing the concentrations of the components on the two sides of the membrane because of the unequal rates of passage in the two directions until equilibrium is reached ; especially : the passage of solvent in distinction from the passage of solute — compare absorption 1c, dialysis , electroosmosis , endosmosis , exosmosis , imbibition 2 a, sap , turgor
2. : a process of absorption, interaction, or diffusion suggestive of the flow of osmotic action
owing to the usual mysterious news osmosis , had already heard about it — Agnes S. Turnbull
as
a. : an interaction or interchange (as of cultural groups or traits) by mutual penetration especially through a separating medium
b. : a usually effortless often unconscious absorption or assimilation (as of ideas or influences) by a seemingly general permeation
absorbing democratic habits and ideals as by osmosis — H.G.Rickover
working alongside pupils in higher grades, the bright student gets advanced learning practically by osmosis — Gertrude Samuels
acquired his ideas through thought processes, not through social osmosis — Roscoe Drummond
a kind of cultural osmosis , the unconscious absorption of Oriental influences through seemingly trivial contacts — Edmond Taylor