absorptivity

noun

ab·​sorp·​tiv·​i·​ty əb-ˌsȯrp-ˈti-və-tē 

-ˌzȯrp-

plural absorptivities

: the property of a body that determines the fraction of incident radiation absorbed by the body

Examples of absorptivity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The researchers also noted that controlling the microscopic structure of the sail—such as by using alternating layers of material, each only nanometers (billionths of a meter) thick—could boost its reflectivity and reduce its absorptivity. —Charles Q. Choi, Scientific American, 10 May 2018

Word History

Etymology

absorptive + -ity

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

absorptivity

noun

ab·​sorp·​tiv·​i·​ty əb-ˌsȯrp-ˈtiv-ət-ē  -ˌzȯrp- 

plural absorptivities

: the property of a body that determines the fraction of incident radiation absorbed by the body