| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|skäpik adjective
Etymology: hygroscope + -ic
1.
a. : readily taking up and retaining moisture
glycerol is hygroscopic
hygroscopic soils
common salt is slightly hygroscopic
— compare deliquescent , hydrophilic
b. : taken up and retained under certain conditions of humidity and temperature — used of moisture
hygroscopic water is not removed from clay by drying at 110° C
2.
a. botany : sensitive to moisture
hygroscopic tissues
hygroscopic organs
b. : induced by moisture
turgor movements are hygroscopic
• hy·gro·scop·i·cal·ly -pə̇k(ə)lē adverb
• hy·gro·sco·pic·i·ty ˌhīgrəˌskōˈpisəd.ē noun -es