exsiccate
/'eksikeit/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To dry up; to remove moisture from something completely; to desiccate: The primary meaning refers to the process of extracting all water or liquid content, often resulting in a thoroughly dried state.
- To become dry or arid: Used less commonly to describe the state of something losing its moisture.
Usage and Examples
- Verb (Transitive):
- The intense heat will exsiccate the soil, making it unsuitable for planting.
- Historically, salt was used to exsiccate meat for preservation during long journeys.
- Verb (Intransitive - less common):
- Without regular watering, the wetlands will gradually exsiccate.
Advanced Usage
- Scientific/Technical Context: "Exsiccate" is a formal term frequently used in scientific fields like chemistry, biology, and geology to describe precise drying processes.
- In the laboratory, we use a desiccator to exsiccate the chemical samples.
- Literary/Descriptive Context: It can be used for dramatic effect to describe extreme dryness.
- The poet described the abandoned riverbed as a landscape exsiccated by time and neglect.
Variants and Related Words
- Exsiccation (n): The act or process of drying up.
- The exsiccation of the lake revealed ancient fossils.
- Exsiccative (adj): Having the quality of drying.
- The exsiccative properties of the clay were well known to the potters.
- Exsiccator (n): A device or agent that causes drying.
- The silica gel acted as an efficient exsiccator in the container.
Synonyms
- Desiccate: To dry thoroughly.
- Dehydrate: To remove water from.
- Parch: To make dry and hot.
- Dewater: To remove water from (often used in industrial contexts).
Antonyms
- Hydrate: To add water or moisture to.
- Moisten: To make slightly wet.
- Dampen: To make damp.
- Soak: To make thoroughly wet.
Notes on Usage
- Register: "Exsiccate" is a highly formal and technical word. In everyday conversation, words like , , or are more common.
- Connotation: It often carries a connotation of a complete, sometimes extreme or unnatural, removal of moisture, potentially leading to a lifeless or barren state.
Verb
- lose water or moisture
- In the desert, you get dehydrated very quickly