a fluid in a state characterized by a very low viscosity, high thermal conductivity, high capillarity, etc. The only known example is that of liquid helium at temperatures close to absolute zero
adjective
2.
being or relating to a superfluid
superfluid in American English
(ˌsuːpərˈfluːɪd)
Physics
noun
1.
a fluid that exhibits frictionless flow, very high heat conductivity, and other unusual physical properties, helium below 2.186 K being the only known example
adjective
2.
of or pertaining to a superfluid
Derived forms
superfluidity
noun
Word origin
[1940–45; super- + fluid]This word is first recorded in the period 1940–45. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Rh factor, black box, blockbuster, sealant, whiteoutsuper- is a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, with the basic meaning“above, beyond.” Words formed with super- have the following general senses: “to place or be placed above or over” (superimpose; supersede), “a thing placed over or added to another” (superscript; superstructure; supertax), “situated over” (superficial; superlunary) and, more figuratively, “an individual, thing, or property that exceeds customarynorms or levels” (superalloy; superconductivity; superman; superstar), “an individual or thing larger, more powerful, or with wider application than othersof its kind” (supercomputer; superhighway; superpower; supertanker), “exceeding the norms or limits of a given class” (superhuman; superplastic), “having the specified property to a great or excessive degree” (supercritical; superfine; supersensitive), “to subject to (a physical process) to an extreme degree or in an unusual way”(supercharge; supercool; supersaturate), “a category that embraces a number of lesser items of the specified kind” (superfamily; supergalaxy), “a chemical compound with a higher proportion than usual of a given constituent”(superphosphate)
Examples of 'superfluid' in a sentence
superfluid
Now physicists have proposed that the universe can be considered a liquid 'superfluid'.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Deep within, pressure is so great exotic 'superfluid' water and 'hot ice' are thought to exist.
The Sun (2012)
They act as a superfluid, able to flow without losing energy - and even climb the walls of vessels containing it.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The team's discovery was particularly surprising because helium-3 cannot readily form a superfluid at all.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Hence, studies into superfluid helium-3 are being used to probe the mechanisms of superconductivity.