ˌkapəˈlarəd.ē, -ətē, -i, also -ˈe- noun
( -es )
Etymology: French capillarité, from capillaire capillary (from Latin capillaris of hair) + -ité -ity
1. : the quality or state of being capillary
2. : the action by which the surface of a liquid where it is in contact with a solid is elevated or depressed depending upon the relative attraction of the molecules of the liquid for each other and for those of the solid and being especially observable in capillary tubes where it determines the elevation or depression of the liquid above or below the level of the liquid in which the tube is dipped — compare surface tension