osmosis

osmosis
    n 1: (biology, chemistry) diffusion of molecules through a
         semipermeable membrane from a place of higher concentration
         to a place of lower concentration until the concentration
         on both sides is equal
    

osmosis \os*mo"sis\ ([o^]z*m[=o]"s[i^]s), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
   'wsmo`s, equiv. to 'w^sis impulse, fr. 'wqei^n to push.]
   (Chemical Physics)
   (a) The tendency in fluids to mix, or become equably
       diffused, when in contact. It was first observed between
       fluids of differing densities, and as taking place
       through a membrane or an intervening porous structure. An
       older term for the phenomenon was {Osmose}.

   Note: The more rapid flow from the thinner to the thicker
         fluid was then called {endosmosis} (formerly
         {endosmose}), and the opposite, slower current,
         {exosmosis} (formerly {exosmose}). Both are, however,
         results of the same force. Osmosis may be regarded as a
         form of molecular attraction, allied to that of
         adhesion. See also {osmotic pressure}.
   (b) The action produced by this tendency.
       [1913 Webster]
    

66 Moby Thesaurus words for "osmosis":
      absorbency, absorbent, absorption, adsorbent, adsorption,
      assimilation, blotter, blotting, blotting paper, chemisorption,
      chemosorption, communication, conduction, contagion, convection,
      delivery, deportation, diapedesis, diffusion, digestion,
      dissemination, endosmosis, engrossment, exosmosis, export,
      exportation, expulsion, extradition, import, importation,
      infiltration, interchange, metastasis, metathesis, metempsychosis,
      migration, mutual transfer, passage, passing over, percolation,
      perfusion, seepage, sorption, sponge, sponging, spread, spreading,
      transduction, transfer, transfer of property, transference,
      transfusion, transit, transition, translation, translocation,
      transmigration, transmigration of souls, transmission, transmittal,
      transmittance, transplacement, transplantation, transposal,
      transposition, travel