viscously

Viscous is an adverb that describes the manner in which something flows or moves with a thick, sticky consistency. It implies a resistance to flow, often associated with liquids that are not easily poured or stirred. For example, honey flows viscously, meaning it moves slowly and thickly. Similarly, a thick sauce might cling to a spoon and drip off slowly, demonstrating viscous behavior.

The term viscous is derived from the Latin word "viscosus," meaning sticky or gluey. In physics and engineering, viscosity is a fundamental property of fluids that quantifies their internal resistance to deformation or flow. A highly viscous fluid, like tar, will resist flow much more than a less viscous fluid, such as water. The degree of viscosity can be affected by factors such as temperature and the fluid's composition. For instance, as temperature decreases, many liquids become more viscous.

When used to describe movement, "viscously" suggests a slow, deliberate, and often heavy progression. This can be applied metaphorically as well. A conversation might proceed viscously if it is slow and awkward, or a person might move viscously if they are lethargic or struggling against some resistance. The core idea remains a lack of fluidity and an adherence to a slow, thick mode of motion or progression.