syneresis

[ si-ner-uh-sis ]

noun

1. synaeresis.
2. Physical Chemistry. the contraction of a gel accompanied by the exudation of liquid.

syneresis

/ sɪˈnɪərɪsɪs /

noun

1. chem the process in which a gel contracts on standing and exudes liquid, as in the separation of whey in cheese-making
2. the contraction of two vowels into a diphthong
3. another word for synizesis

Word History and Origins

Origin of syneresis¹

First recorded in 1570–80; variant of synaeresis

Word History and Origins

Origin of syneresis¹

C16: via Late Latin from Greek sunairesis a shortening, from sunairein to draw together, from syn- + hairein to take

Example Sentences

And all the time he had waited, he could feel himself growing older, could sense the syneresis, the slow solidifying of the life elements within him.

From Project Gutenberg