Capillary rise refers to the phenomenon in which water tends to be absorbed into tubes of small diameter or porous media.  This can be observed in soils with a water table.  When water comes into contact with a dry soil, capillary forces will draw water into the soil.  Water will rise from the water table into the soil.  The band of soil above the water table that is saturated is referred to as the capillary fringe.  The width of this band is the capillary rise of water in the soil.