A measure of the internal resistance to fluid flow attributable to the amount, type and size of solids present in a given fluid. It is expressed as the number of dynes per square centimeter of tangential shearing force in excess of the Bingham yield value that will induce a unit rate of shear. This value, expressed in centiPoise, is proportional to the slope of the consistency curve determined in the region of laminar flow for materials obeying Bingham's law of plastic flow.