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hydro vs hygro Re: Water absorbtion of Gray PVC



Original poster: "Jim Lux" <jimlux-at-earthlink-dot-net> 

I should think that hydroscopic has something to do with viewing water? A
hydroscope is a device for looking far beneath the surface, so hydroscopic
would refer to something pertaining to or using a hydroscope (hydroscopic
control system)

hygro = > humidity
hydro => water

Since in this case we're talking about absorption of water vapor (gas form),
hygro is appropriate.

Interestingly, because I was wondering about the "scopic" suffix, and where
it came from, I turned up this:
1. Of or pertaining to, or indicated by, the hygroscope; not readily
manifest to the senses, but capable of detection by the hygroscope; as,
glass is often covered with a film of hygroscopic moisture.
2. Having the property of readily inbibing moisture from the atmosphere, or
of the becoming coated with a thin film of moisture, as glass, etc.

So, the definition that we all use is #2... and the origin has to do with
only being able to be detected by the use of an instrument for viewing
humidity (hygroscope).... compare microscope<>microscopic.

Cool deal..



If you were talking about whether it will or wont soak up liquid water (it
will), hydrophobic or hydrophilic would be appropriate (water fearing, water
loving).  Plastic being the former (usually) and clean glass being the
latter (usually).



----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2003 6:58 AM
Subject: Re: Water absorbtion of Gray PVC


 > Original poster: "Crow Leader" <tesla-at-lists.symmetric-dot-net>
 >
 > It's time that the correct word of "hygroscopic" be used when talking
about
 > things absorbing moisture from the air, not hydroscopic, whatever that
even
 > means.
 >
 > KEN
 >
 >