viscosity

This term describes the internal friction of a fluid, creating a mental image of resistance and sluggishness. It is most frequently used in scientific, industrial, or culinary settings to describe how a liquid behaves under gravity or pressure. While a layman might simply call a liquid thick, a professional uses viscosity to specify a measurable physical property. It carries a clinical, precise connotation, shifting the focus from a subjective feeling of stickiness to an objective measurement of flow rate.