| deliquesce | <chemistry> To dissolve gradually and become liquid by attracting and absorbing moisture from the air, as certain salts, acids, and alkalies. "In very moist air crystals of strontites deliquesce." (Black) Origin: L. Deliquescere to melt, dissolve; de- + liquescere to become fluid, melt, fr. Liquere to be fluid. See Liquid. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| deliquescence | Becoming damp or liquid by absorption of water from the atmosphere; a property of certain salts, such as CaCl2. Origin: L. De-liquesco, to melt or become liquid (05 Mar 2000) |
| deliquescent | 1. Dissolving; liquefying by contact with the air; capable of attracting moisture from the atmosphere and becoming liquid; as, deliquescent salts. 2. <botany> Branching so that the stem is lost in branches, as in most deciduous trees. Origin: L. Deliquescens, -entis, p. Pr. Of deliquescere: cf. F. Deliquescent. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |