adhesion

/ɛdˈhiʒɪn/

/ædˈhiʒɪn/

Other forms: adhesions

Dab some Krazy Glue onto a surface and you'll see how powerful its properties of adhesion, or stickiness, are. Similarly, someone who sticks to a cause no matter what has a really strong adhesion or commitment to that cause.

Adhesion comes from the Latin adhaesionem meaning "a sticking to," a translation that perfectly captures that adhesive quality. Objects can be characterized by their adhesion — like Scotch tape or Velcro. Similarly, when you see a group of protesters camped outside the Capital fighting for a cause, it's their adhesion (or dedication) that keeps them stuck there rain or shine. In medicine, adhesion is used to describe abnormal bands of scar tissue that might form after a surgery.

Definitions of adhesion

1. noun

   the property of sticking together (as of glue and wood) or the joining of surfaces of different composition
   “a heated hydraulic press was required for adhesion”

   synonyms: adherence, adhesiveness, bond

   type of:

   stickiness

   the property of sticking to a surface
2. noun

   abnormal union of bodily tissues; most common in the abdomen
   types:

   symphysis

   an abnormal adhesion of two or more structures

   synechia

   adhesions between the iris and the lens or cornea resulting from trauma or eye surgery or as a complication of glaucoma or cataract; can lead to blindness

   anterior synechia

   adhesion between the iris and the cornea

   posterior synechia

   adhesion between the iris and the lens

   type of:

   pathology

   any deviation from a healthy or normal condition
3. noun

   a fibrous band of scar tissue that binds together normally separate anatomical structures
   type of:

   scar tissue

   the connective tissue that forms a scar; consists of fibroblasts in new scars and collagen fibers in old scars
4. noun

   faithful support for a cause or political party or religion
   “the adhesion of Seville was decisive”

   synonyms: adherence, attachment

   types:

   ecclesiasticism

   excessive adherence to ecclesiastical forms and activities

   cabalism, kabbalism

   adherence to some extreme traditional theological concept or interpretation

   royalism

   adherence or attachment to a monarchy or to the principle of monarchal government

   traditionalism

   adherence to tradition (especially in cultural or religious matters)

   type of:

   support

   aiding the cause or policy or interests of