| buoyancy | 1. The property of floating on the surface of a liquid, or in a fluid, as in the atmosphere; specific lightness, which is inversely as the weight compared with that of an equal volume of water. 2. <physics> The upward pressure exerted upon a floating body by a fluid, which is equal to the weight of the body; hence, also, the weight of a floating body, as measured by the volume of fluid displaced. "Such are buoyancies or displacements of the different classes of her majesty's ships." (Eng. Cyc) 3. Cheerfulness; vivacity; liveliness; sprightliness; the opposite of heaviness; as, buoyancy of spirits. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| buoyant | 1. Having the quality of rising or floating in a fluid; tending to rise or float; as, iron is buoyant in mercury. "Buoyant on the flood." 2. Bearing up, as a fluid; sustaining another body by being specifically heavier. "The water under me was buoyant." (Dryden) 3. Light-hearted; vivacious; cheerful; as, a buoyant disposition; buoyant spirits. Buoy"antly. Origin: From Buoy, & i. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| buoyant density | The density that allows a substance to float in some standard fluid. (05 Mar 2000) |