deliquesce

[ del-i-kwes ]
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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.

  1. Botany. to form many small divisions or branches.

Origin of deliquesce

1
First recorded in 1750–60; from Latin dēliquēscere “to become liquid,” equivalent to dē- de- + liquēscere; see liquescent

Words Nearby deliquesce

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British Dictionary definitions for deliquesce

deliquesce

/ (ˌdɛlɪˈkwɛs) /


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

  1. (of a plant stem) to form many branches

Origin of deliquesce

1
C18: from Latin dēliquēscere to melt away, become liquid, from de- + liquēscere to melt, from liquēre to be liquid

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