desiccate

[ des-i-keyt ]
/ ˈdɛs ɪˌkeɪt /

verb (used with object), des·ic·cat·ed, des·ic·cat·ing.

to dry thoroughly; dry up.
to preserve (food) by removing moisture; dehydrate.

verb (used without object), des·ic·cat·ed, des·ic·cat·ing.

to become thoroughly dried or dried up.

Origin of desiccate

1565–75; < Latin dēsiccātus dried up, past participle of dēsiccāre, equivalent to dē- de- + siccāre, derivative of siccus dry; see -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM desiccate

des·ic·ca·tion, noun des·ic·ca·tive, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for desiccate

British Dictionary definitions for desiccate

desiccate
/ (ˈdɛsɪˌkeɪt) /

verb

(tr) to remove most of the water from (a substance or material); dehydrate
(tr) to preserve (food) by removing moisture; dry
(intr) to become dried up

Derived forms of desiccate

desiccation, noun desiccative, adjective

Word Origin for desiccate

C16: from Latin dēsiccāre to dry up, from de- + siccāre to dry, from siccus dry

Medical definitions for desiccate

desiccate
[ dĕsĭ-kāt′ ]

v.

To dry thoroughly; render free from moisture.

Scientific definitions for desiccate

desiccate
[ dĕsĭ-kāt′ ]

To remove the moisture from something or dry it thoroughly.♦ A desiccator is a container that removes moisture from the air within it.♦ A desiccator contains a desiccant, a substance that traps or absorbs water molecules. Some desiccants include silica gel (silicon dioxide), calcium sulfate (dehydrated gypsum), calcium oxide (calcined lime), synthetic molecular sieves (porous crystalline aluminosilicates), and dried clay.