Capillary attraction

(Phys.) The term applied to that part of physics which investigates the phenomena produced when solid bodies are brought into contact with liquids. These phenomena are best observed in small tubes, about the diameter of a hair: hence the name. In all cases, although the phenomena are very varied in their nature, the result may be attributed to the mutual attraction of the liquid molecules for each other, and to the attraction between these molecules and solid substances. The following instances are examples of capillary attraction. When a solid substance is immersed in a liquid which wets it, as, for instance, a gla rod in water, the liquid becomes curved upwards towards the side of the solid, making its surface slightly concave, instead of being horizontal. If, however, the liquid does not wet the solid, as, for instance, a gla rod dipped into mercury, the liquid is depre ed against the sides of the solid and a umes a convex shape. The Cap'illose, a. Hairy. (R.) Capio'nia, or Copio'ma, in Kansas , a post-village of Nemaha co. Capistra'no, in California , a post-office in Orange county. Cap'ita, n. [Lat.) ( Law .) Heads. This expre ion is of frequent occurence in laws regulating the distribution of the estates of persons dying intestate. When all the persons entitled to shares in the distribution are of the same degree of kindred to the deceased person, and claim directly from him in their own right, and not through an intermediate relation, they take per capita , that is, equal shares, or share and share alike. Capital, a. [Lat. capital is , from caput , head.] Affecting the lo of the head or forfeiture of life; touching criminality in the highest degree; as, capital punishment. First in importance; chief; principal; metropolitan; of great size; as, a capital city.