Porousness: meaning, definitions and examples

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porousness

 

[ ˈpɔːrəsnəs ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

physical property

The quality or state of being porous, having small holes that allow liquid or air to pass through.

Synonyms

penetrability, permeability, porosity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
porousness

Generally used interchangeably with porousness, focusing on the quality of having minute spaces or holes through which liquid or air may pass.

  • The porousness of this sponge makes it very absorbent
  • This type of wood has a natural porousness that affects its durability
porosity

Frequently used to describe the ratio of the void spaces within a material to its total volume, often in geology, material science, and construction.

  • The porosity of sandstone makes it a good reservoir rock
  • High porosity in concrete can lead to structural weaknesses
permeability

Commonly found in discussions regarding fluids, gases, and their ability to move through materials, often in fields like geology, physics, and engineering.

  • The permeability of the membrane allows selective molecules to pass through
  • Groundwater flow is greatly influenced by the permeability of the rock layer
penetrability

Used to describe how easily something can be entered or passed through, often in a more general or non-scientific sense.

  • The penetrability of the fortress walls was a concern for the defenders
  • This glass has high penetrability to ultraviolet rays

Examples of usage

  • The porousness of the sponge allows it to absorb water easily.
  • Due to the porousness of the rock, water seeps through it quickly.
Context #2 | Noun

metaphorical usage

The vulnerability or openness to influence or attack.

Synonyms

openness, susceptibility, vulnerability.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
porousness

Describes the quality of having tiny holes or spaces through which liquid or air may pass. Often used in scientific or technical contexts.

  • The porousness of the soil allows for better water drainage.
  • Due to its high porousness, the material is ideal for filtration processes.
vulnerability

Refers to the quality of being easily harmed or attacked, either physically or emotionally. It often carries a negative connotation.

  • The security system's vulnerability was exposed by hackers.
  • Her emotional vulnerability made her more empathetic towards others.
susceptibility

Indicates the likelihood of being influenced or harmed by a particular factor. Often used in medical, psychological, or environmental contexts.

  • Children's susceptibility to colds increases during the winter months.
  • His susceptibility to peer pressure led him to make poor decisions.
openness

Refers to the quality of being open to new ideas, experiences, or people. It is often used in social or psychological contexts.

  • Her openness to new cultures made her a great traveler.
  • The company's openness to feedback has significantly improved its customer satisfaction.

Examples of usage

  • The porousness of the country's borders led to increased security concerns.
  • His porousness to criticism made him sensitive to feedback.

Translations

Translations of the word "porousness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 porosidade

🇮🇳 छिद्रता (chidrta)

🇩🇪 Porosität

🇮🇩 porositas

🇺🇦 пористість

🇵🇱 porowatość

🇯🇵 多孔性 (たこうせい, takōsei)

🇫🇷 porosité

🇪🇸 porosidad

🇹🇷 gözeneklilik

🇰🇷 다공성 (dagongseong)

🇸🇦 مسامية (masamiya)

🇨🇿 porozita

🇸🇰 porozita

🇨🇳 多孔性 (duōkǒngxìng)

🇸🇮 poroznost

🇮🇸 gegndræpi

🇰🇿 көпқұрылымдылық (kópqurylmdylyq)

🇬🇪 ფორიანობა (porianoba)

🇦🇿 gözeneklilik

🇲🇽 porosidad

Etymology

The word 'porousness' is derived from the Middle English word 'poreus', which comes from the Old French 'poros' and the Latin 'porosus'. The concept of porosity has been studied in various fields, including geology, materials science, and biology, to understand the properties of porous materials and their applications.

See also: porosity.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,912, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.