osmosis

From Ancient Greek ὠσμός (ōsmós, “push”).

osmosis (countable and uncountable, plural osmoses)

1. The net movement of solvent molecules, usually water, from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration through a partially permeable membrane.
2. Picking up knowledge accidentally, without actually seeking that particular knowledge.

   I was reading about chickens, and I guess I learned about hawks through osmosis.

   • 1999, Neil Gaiman, Stardust, pages 36-37 (2001 Perennial paperback edition)

     At age fourteen, by a process of osmosis, of dirty jokes, whispered secrets and filthy ballads, Tristram learned of sex.

• electroosmosis
• endosmosis
• exosmosis

• osmotic
• osmose