a. [f. as if from L. *aqueus (cf. terreus f. terra) + -OUS. Cf. Fr. aqueux (:—L. aquōsus), 16th c. in Littré.]
1. Of, or of the nature of, water; watery; diluted with water.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., 336. The phlegme or aqueous evaporation.
1667. Boyle, in Phil. Trans., II. 608. To freeze an Aqueous body.
1794. Sullivan, View Nat., I. 120. The aggregation of aqueous particles in the air, forming the drops of rain.
1860. Maury, Phys. Geog. Sea, iv. § 228. Aqueous vapour is very much lighter than atmospheric air.
1871. Tyndall, Fragm. Sc., I. iv. 115. Aqueous hydrochloric acid.
b. Aqueous humo(u)r of the eye.
1643. Herle, Answ. Ferne, 2. It sees every thing coloured, as the distemper of the aqueous humour … gives it tincture.
1879. Harlan, Eyesight, ii. 20. The aqueous humor is nearly pure water, and is contained in the space between the cornea and lens.
2. Connected with, or relating to, water.
1731. Bailey, Aqueous Ducts … whereby the aqueous humour is supposed to be conveyed into the inside of the membranes which inclose that liquor.
1860. Maury, Phys. Geog. Sea, ii. § 96. The aqueous equilibrium of the planet would thereby be disturbed.
3. Geol. Of or pertaining to water as an agent; produced by the action of water.
1802. Playfair, Illustr. Hutton. The., 320. The general system of aqueous deposition.
1833. Lyell, Elem. Geol., i. (1874), 3. The ‘aqueous’ rocks, sometimes called the sedimentary.
