viscous
UK: ˈvɪskəs | US: ˈvɪskəs
adj. having a thick, sticky consistency between solid and liquid
adj. (physics) relating to a fluid's resistance to flow
viscous = visc<sticky> + ous<adjective suffix>
- visc (from Latin viscum "birdlime, mistletoe" – a sticky substance used to trap birds)
- ous (Latin-derived suffix forming adjectives, meaning "full of" or "having the quality of")
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin viscum, referring to the sticky sap of the mistletoe plant, historically used as birdlime (a glue for trapping birds). Over time, viscosus in Late Latin evolved to describe any thick, adhesive fluid. The modern term retains this core idea of resistance to flow, now applied in both everyday language ("honey is viscous") and scientific contexts (e.g., viscosity measurements).
The viscous syrup slowly dripped from the spoon.
Engineers tested the viscous properties of the new lubricant.
Lava flows can vary from highly viscous to relatively fluid.
The paint was too viscous to spread evenly.
Cold honey becomes more viscous and harder to pour.