desiccant

American  

[des-i-kuhnt] / ˈdɛs ɪ kənt /

adjective

1. desiccating or drying, as a medicine.

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noun

1. a desiccant substance or agent.

desiccant British  

/ ˈdɛsɪkənt /

adjective

1. desiccating or drying

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noun

1. a substance, such as calcium oxide, that absorbs water and is used to remove moisture; a drying agent

Etymology

Origin of desiccant

1670–80; < Latin dēsiccant-, stem of dēsiccāns, present participle of dēsiccāre to dry up. See desiccate, -ant

Example Sentences

Water-adsorption polymers have been playing a key part in atmospheric water harvesting and desiccant air conditioning, but desorption so that the polymers can be efficiently reused has been an issue.

From Science Daily

Their system converts air to water using atmospheric water generators that contain a liquid desiccant, which absorbs moisture from the air.

From BBC

Separate from the recalled Takata inflators are about 30 million that contain a moisture-absorbing chemical called a desiccant that is meant to keep the ammonium nitrate dry and stable.

From Seattle Times

“These restrictions include a prohibition of pre-harvest use as a desiccant and the need for certain measures to protect non-target organisms,” it said in a statement.

From Seattle Times

This process can require some additional energy because the desiccant needs to be “recharged” using heat.

From Scientific American

Related Words

• arid
• bare
• barren
• dehydrated
• dusty
• parched
• stale
• torrid