liquefaction

[ lik-wuh-fak-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or process of liquefying or making liquid.
2. the state of being liquefied.

liquefaction

/ lĭk′wə-făk′shən /

1. Chemistry.
   The act or process of turning a gas into a liquid. Liquefaction is usually achieved by compression of vapors (provided the temperature of the gas is below the critical temperature), by refrigeration, or by adiabatic expansion.
2. Geology.
   The process by which sediment that is very wet starts to behave like a liquid. Liquefaction occurs because of the increased pore pressure and reduced effective stress between solid particles generated by the presence of liquid. It is often caused by severe shaking, especially that associated with earthquakes.

Other Words From

• lique·factive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of liquefaction¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Late Latin liquefactiōn- (stem of liquefactiō ) a melting, equivalent to Latin liquefact ( us ) (past participle of liquefacere to melt, liquefy ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

It was then trucked to a liquefaction facility in the port of Hastings, where it was cooled to -253°C, liquifying it to less than 800 times its gaseous volume.

From Time

They have examples to back up their argument, mostly from facilities that handled petroleum products similar to those used in natural gas liquefaction plants.

From Washington Post

Next up, in the Mother of All Disasters trifecta, another deadly piece of jargon: liquefaction.

From The Daily Beast

The liquefaction of a martyrs blood may still be witnessed by the faithful on the anniversary of St. Januarius at Naples.

From Project Gutenberg

Gore found that aluminium was dissolved and that sodium and potassium were attacked by the gas, even before its liquefaction.

From Project Gutenberg

He then also first stated that, above certain temperatures, liquefaction of vapors was impossible, however great the pressure.

From Project Gutenberg

Do you observe the uniform distribution of the growth and the absence of any sign of liquefaction in the medium?

From Project Gutenberg

The presence of condensation water at the bottom of the tube must not be confounded with liquefaction of the medium.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adjournment
• demise
• disbandment
• overthrow
• suspension
• termination