capillary wave Water wave whose wavelength is less than 1.7 cm and in which the primary restoring force is the surface tension of the water. The slightest of breezes may cause slight ‘puckering’ of the water surface, and the capillary waves so produced will be smoothed and flattened by the effects of surface tension.

capillary wave A water wave whose wavelength is less than 1.7 cm and in which the primary restoring force is the surface tension of the water. The slightest of breezes may cause slight ‘puckering’ of the water surface, and the capillary waves so produced will be smoothed and flattened by the effects of surface tension.