Is It Osmosis?

[lynbrown]

When one object picks up the identity of another object simply by being in close proximity to it, is that called osmosis?

[MarkRae]

No. Osmosis is a biological process involving a semi-permeable membrane...

[Prudie]

No, osmosis is when liquids of different density are able to pass through a membrane.

[jno]

yes, it could be, though it's hard to say what "picking up the identity of something else" means.

It would be a metaphorical use of the word - the literal meaning is as MarkRae says.

[ChuckFickens]

Biological? there are some water filtration manufacturers that would disagree with that.

[bibblebub]

yes, osmosis would be fine - the scientific definition isn't limited to biological processes and the term is also used for a gradual, often unconscious process of assimilation or absorption - that definition is given here http://www.tfd.com/osmosis and also in Chambers (for those who don't trust an online dictionary)

[DaisyNonna]

Osmosis. The passage of solvent molecules from a less concentrated to a more concentrated solution through a semipermeable membrane.
A gradual or unconscious assimilation of ideas.

[stewey]

Yes, it is, lyn. For example: "He was a most extraordinary teacher: his students seemed to gather knowledge by the process of osmosis." I'm assuming that you were not looking for the scientific definition.

[lynbrown]

Thanks Stewey, just what I wanted.

[stewey]

Glad that I could assist you, lyn.