liquefy

American  

[lik-wuh-fahy] / ˈlɪk wəˌfaɪ /

verb (used with or without object)

liquefied, liquefying

1. to make or become liquid.

   Synonyms:

   condense, thaw, dissolve, fuse, melt

   Antonyms:

   evaporate, solidify

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liquefy British  

/ ˌlɪkwɪˈfækʃən, ˈlɪkwɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. (esp of a gas) to become or cause to become liquid

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Other Word Forms

• liquefaction
  noun
• liquefactive
  adjective
• liquefiable
  adjective
• liquefier
  noun
• nonliquefiable
  adjective
• nonliquefying
  adjective
• reliquefy
  verb
• unliquefiable
  adjective
• unliquefied
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of liquefy

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English lyquefyen, from Old French liquefier, translation of Latin liquefacere “to melt” ( see liquefacient); see -fy

Explanation

When you turn a solid into a liquid, like when you set an ice cube in the sunshine and watch it melt into a puddle of water, you liquefy it. You can liquefy a solid by heating it until it melts, and you can also say the substance itself liquefies. A jar of coconut oil that's hard and solid in the refrigerator will liquefy if you leave it on the counter on a warm summer day. The Latin root of liquefy is liquefacere, "make liquid," from liquere, "be fluid," and facere, "to make."

Example Sentences

Liquefy and measure out into a flask Nutrient agar 750 c.c. then cool to 55°C. 5.

From The Elements of Bacteriological Technique A Laboratory Guide for Medical, Dental, and Technical Students. Second Edition Rewritten and Enlarged. by Eyre, J. W. H. (John William Henry)

Liquefy eight tubes of gelatine-agar and place them in the water-bath at 42° C, and cool down to that temperature.

From The Elements of Bacteriological Technique A Laboratory Guide for Medical, Dental, and Technical Students. Second Edition Rewritten and Enlarged. by Eyre, J. W. H. (John William Henry)

Liquefy, lik′we-fī, v.t. to make liquid: to dissolve.—v.i. to become liquid:—pa.t. and pa.p. liq′uefīed.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Liquefy and measure out into a sterile flask Nutrient agar 1000 c.c.

From The Elements of Bacteriological Technique A Laboratory Guide for Medical, Dental, and Technical Students. Second Edition Rewritten and Enlarged. by Eyre, J. W. H. (John William Henry)

Liquefy three tubes of nutrient gelatine and add to them 0.5 c.c.,

From The Elements of Bacteriological Technique A Laboratory Guide for Medical, Dental, and Technical Students. Second Edition Rewritten and Enlarged. by Eyre, J. W. H. (John William Henry)