deliquesce
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To become liquid by absorbing moisture from the air: To melt or dissolve by absorbing water vapor from the atmosphere.
- To melt away or disintegrate as part of a natural process of decay: To become soft, liquid, or decayed, often used in biological or chemical contexts.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Certain salts, like calcium chloride, will deliquesce if left exposed to humid air.
- The overripe fruit began to deliquesce into a sticky pulp.
- In the damp forest, the fallen log slowly deliquesced over many years.
Advanced Usage
- Scientific/Technical Context: The term is often used in chemistry, mycology (the study of fungi), and materials science to describe a specific physical change.
- The hygroscopic compound will deliquesce, forming a concentrated solution.
- Some mushrooms, like ink caps, are known to deliquesce into a black, inky liquid as they mature.
Variants and Related Words
- Deliquescent (adj): Having the property of absorbing moisture from the air until dissolving.
- Deliquescent salts require airtight storage.
- Deliquescence (n): The process of deliquescing.
- The deliquescence of the specimen was observed under controlled humidity.
Synonyms
- Liquefy: To make or become liquid.
- Dissolve: To become incorporated into a liquid so as to form a solution.
- Melt: To change from a solid to a liquid state, usually by heat. (Note: "Deliquesce" specifically implies melting via atmospheric moisture, not heat).
- Decay: To rot or decompose.
Antonyms
- Solidify: To make or become hard or solid.
- Crystallize: To form crystals; to become definite and clear.
- Desiccate: To remove moisture from; to dry thoroughly.
Verb
- melt or become liquid by absorbing moisture from the air
- this type of salt deliquesces easily
- melt away in the process of decay
- The fungi eventually deliquesced