1. Plural of dilatant; substances that increase in viscosity (become thicker) when subjected to shear stress or rapid motion.
Usage: technical; physics/materials science

Examples

• Cornstarch and water mixtures are common examples of dilatants used in classroom demonstrations.
• Engineers study dilatants to understand how certain materials behave under impact.
• Some body armor fabrics use dilatants to absorb and dissipate energy from impacts.
• Dilatants exhibit unusual flow properties that make them useful in industrial applications.
• The viscosity of dilatants increases when you stir them quickly but decreases when you stir slowly.