a. Obs. [Irreg. f. L. viscum, -us + -OUS.] Viscous.
1603. Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 618. They testifie … a repletion of grosse, viscuous or slimy humours, and a great perturbation of the spirits within.
1635. Swan, Spec. M., v. § 2 (1643), 135. When the Exhalation by reason of the want of viscuous matter is not enflamed.
1655. T. Vaughan, Euphrates, 24. It is even so with the World, for it was originally made of a seed, of a seminall viscuous Humidity or Water.
1705. Phil. Trans., XXV. 1977. I expected Water, but there was only a viscuous darkish Humour.
1706. London & Wise, Retir’d Gard’ner, I. ii. 8. The coldest and most viscuous Dungs or Soil, such as Cows-Dung.
1771. Encycl. Brit., II. 468. The albumen is a cold, viscuous, white liquor in the egg.
Hence Viscuousness.
1644. Digby, Nat. Bodies, xxiii. (1658), 262. The solidness and viscuousness of the substance will not permit it to evaporate.
