the process in plants and animals by which a liquid moves gradually from one part of the body or the plant to another through a membrane (= cell covering)

Fluid flows back into the tiny blood vessels by osmosis. 液体通过渗透作用流回毛细血管。

the way in which ideas and information gradually spread between people

The children were never taught the songs, they just listened to other children singing them and learned them by osmosis. 从来没人教孩子们唱过这些歌曲，他们只是听别的孩子唱，慢慢地就学会了。

Reading is not picked up by a process of osmosis, but needs to be taught. 阅读不是在潜移默化的过程中学会的，而是需要教授的。