DELIQUESCE
Del`i*quesce", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Deliquesced; p. pr. & vb. n.
Deliquescing.] Etym: [L. deliquescere to melt, dissolve; de- +
liquescere to become fluid, melt, fr. liquere to be fluid. See
Liquid.] (Chem.)
Defn: 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.
DELIQUESCENCE
Del`i*ques"cence, n. Etym: [Cf. F. déliquescence.]
Defn: The act of deliquescing or liquefying; process by which anything deliquesces; tendency to melt.
DELIQUESCENT Del`i*ques"cent, a. Etym: [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.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: Branching so that the stem is lost in branches, as in most deciduous trees. Gray.
DELIQUIATE De*liq"ui*ate, v. i. Etym: [L. deliquia a flowing off, a gutter, deliquium a flowing down, fr. deliquare. See Deliquate.]
Defn: To melt and become liquid by absorbing water from the air; to deliquesce. Fourcroy.