Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Porous

Por′ous

,
Adj.
[Cf. F.
poreux
. See
Pore
,
Noun.
]
Full of pores; having interstices in the skin or in the substance of the body; having spiracles or passages for fluids; permeable by liquids;
as, a
porous
skin;
porous
wood.
“The veins of porous earth.”
Milton.

Webster 1828 Edition

Porous

PO'ROUS

,
Adj.
[from pore.] Having interstices in the skin or substance of the body; having spiracles or passages for fluids; as a porous skin; porous wood; porous earth.

Definition 2024

porous

porous

English

Adjective

porous ‎(comparative more porous, superlative most porous)

  1. Full of tiny pores that allow fluids or gasses to pass through.
    Sponges are porous so they can filter water while trapping food.
    Concrete is porous, so water will slowly filter through it.
  2. (Of legislation) full of loopholes
  3. (figuratively) With many gaps.
    • 2011 May 14, Peter Scrivener, “Sunderland 1 - 3 Wolverhampton”, in BBC Sport:
      However, Wolves porous defence opened up again to gift Sunderland a foothold in the game - Sessegnon sweeping in a Zenden corner that was inexplicably allowed to bounce in the six-yard box.

Synonyms

Translations

Etymology

From Old French poros, from Latin porus ‎(“an opening”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈpɔːrəs/
  • Rhymes: -ɔːrəs

Similar Results