[ad. F. capillarité, f. L. capillār-is CAPILLARY + -ITY.] Capillary quality; esp. that of exerting capillary attraction or repulsion. Also, capillary attraction.
1830. Herschel, Stud. Nat. Phil., 234. Capillary attraction, or capillarity as it is sometimes called.
1850. Daubeny, Atom. The., x. (ed. 2), 315. Is not the affinity of capillarity … a phenomenon of the same description? It … acts solely between the surfaces of the attracting body and of that which combines with it.
1882. Geikie, Text-bk. Geol., III. I. iv. § 2. 299. The power possessed by water of penetrating rocks, in virtue of the porosity and capillarity.
