| Deliquesce | v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Deliquesced p. pr. & vb. n. Deliquescing. ] [ L. deliquescere to melt, dissolve; de- + liquescere to become fluid, melt, fr. liquere to be fluid. See Liquid. ] (Chem.) 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. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Deliquescent | a. [ L. deliquescens, -entis, p. pr. of deliquescere: cf. F. déliquescent. ] 1. Dissolving; liquefying by contact with the air; capable of attracting moisture from the atmosphere and becoming liquid; as, deliquescent salts. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. (Bot.) Branching so that the stem is lost in branches, as in most deciduous trees. Gray. [ 1913 Webster ] |
