Definitions for "Capillary fringe"
A zone of partially saturated material just above the water table. The depth of the fringe depends upon the size and distribution of the pore spaces within the geologic formation.
A zone immediately above the water table (zero gauge pressure) in which water is drawn upward from the water table by capillary action.
saturated zone immediately above the water table where saturation is maintain by capillary tension exerted by soil pores