deliquesce









deliquesce


verb (used without object), del·i·quesced, del·i·quesc·ing.

  1. to become liquid by absorbing moisture from the air, as certain salts.
  2. to melt away.
  3. Botany. to form many small divisions or branches.

verb (intr)

  1. (esp of certain salts) to dissolve gradually in water absorbed from the air
  2. (esp of certain fungi) to dissolve into liquid, usually at maturity
  3. (of a plant stem) to form many branches
v.

1756, in chemistry, from Latin deliquescere “to melt away,” from de- (see de-) + liquescere “to melt,” from liquere “to be liquid” (see liquid (adj.)). General use dates from 1858.

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