cryoscopy

[ krahy-os-kuh-pee ]

noun

, plural cry·os·co·pies.

1. Chemistry. a technique for determining the molecular weight of a substance by dissolving it and measuring the freezing point of the solution.
2. Medicine/Medical. the determination of the freezing points of certain bodily fluids, as urine, for diagnosis.

cryoscopy

/ kraɪˈɒskəpɪ; ˌkraɪəˈskɒpɪk /

noun

1. the determination of freezing points, esp for the determination of molecular weights by measuring the lowering of the freezing point of a solvent when a known quantity of solute is added

Derived Forms

• cryoscopic, adjective

Other Words From

• cry·o·scop·ic [krahy-, uh, -, skop, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cryoscopy¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; cryo- + -scopy

Example Sentences

The method of cryoscopy is also of considerable service in forensic medicine.

From Project Gutenberg

As shown by Carrara, the cryoscopy of the blood is an important aid in determining the question whether a body found in the water was thrown in before or after death.

From Project Gutenberg

One gramme-molecule of the solute introduced into one litre of the solution lowers its temperature of congelation by 1.85� C. Thus a normal solution of any non-ionizable substance in water freezes at -1.85� C. The measurement of this lowering of the freezing point is called Cryoscopy, a method which is becoming of great utility in medicine.

From Project Gutenberg

Cryoscopy of Blood.—In order to determine the osmotic pressure of the blood at 37� C., i.e.

From Project Gutenberg

Cryoscopy.—The usual method employed for the determination of the molecular concentration and osmotic pressure of a solution is by cryoscopy—the measurement of its temperature of congelation.

From Project Gutenberg