liquefy
/'likwifai/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb (transitive):
- To cause a solid substance to become liquid, typically through the application of heat or pressure.
- To make something fluid or less solid.
Verb (intransitive):
- To become liquid or fluid.
- To change from a solid or gaseous state into a liquid state.
Usage and Examples
Transitive Verb (to make something liquid):
- The intense heat will liquefy the metal.
- The process liquefies natural gas for easier transport.
Intransitive Verb (to become liquid):
- The ice cream began to liquefy in the sun.
- Certain gases liquefy under high pressure.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- Scientific/Technical Context: Often used in chemistry, physics, and engineering to describe phase changes.
- The researchers aim to liquefy hydrogen at a lower cost.
- Figurative Use (less common): Can describe something becoming fluid or less rigid in form.
- Her stern expression finally liquefied into a smile.
Variants and Related Words
- Liquefaction (noun): The process of making or becoming liquid.
- Soil liquefaction can occur during an earthquake.
- Liquefiable (adjective): Capable of being liquefied.
- Butter is a liquefiable fat.
Synonyms
- Melt (for solids turning to liquid, usually due to heat).
- Thaw (for frozen substances becoming liquid or soft).
- Fluidify (to make fluid).
- Dissolve (for a solid incorporating into a liquid to form a solution, which is a related but distinct process).
Antonyms
- Solidify: To make or become hard or solid.
- Freeze: To harden into ice or a solid from a liquid state.
- Condense: To change from a gas or vapor to a liquid.
Phrasal Verbs / Common Collocations
- Liquefy into: To change form and become a liquid.
- The wax liquefied into a pool.
- Liquefy by heating: To use heat to cause liquefaction.
- The compound can be liquefied by heating it to 150°C.
Idioms
There are no common idioms that use the word "liquefy" as a core component. It is primarily a technical term.
Verb
- become liquid or fluid when heated
- the frozen fat liquefied
- make (a solid substance) liquid, as by heating
- liquefy the silver
- become liquid
- The garden air overnight liquefied into a morning dew