deliquesce

[ del-i-kwes ]

verb (used without object)

, del·i·quesced, del·i·quesc·ing.

1. to become liquid by absorbing moisture from the air, as certain salts.
2. to melt away.
3. Botany. to form many small divisions or branches.

deliquesce

/ ˌdɛlɪˈkwɛs /

verb

1. (esp of certain salts) to dissolve gradually in water absorbed from the air
2. (esp of certain fungi) to dissolve into liquid, usually at maturity
3. (of a plant stem) to form many branches

Word History and Origins

Origin of deliquesce¹

First recorded in 1750–60; from Latin dēliquēscere “to become liquid,” equivalent to dē- de- + liquēscere; liquescent

Word History and Origins

Origin of deliquesce¹

C18: from Latin dēliquēscere to melt away, become liquid, from de- + liquēscere to melt, from liquēre to be liquid

Example Sentences

Yet they all get a pass – even Michael Gove, jogging beside his security detail with the look of a man deliquescing from the inside, gets no more than a raised eyebrow.

From The Guardian

It looms over the rolling controversies over public monuments, which solidify history in metal or stone, then deliquesce into pixels on Google Street View.

From New York Times

That was sitting out there, in a state of just deliquescing.

From The New Yorker

Wouldn’t it be nice to spend 10 days deliquescing at a spa named Tranquillum House, which sounds like a flower crossed with a state of bliss?

From New York Times

Some have recognizable faces, even painted ones; others appear to be deliquescing into formlessness, their arms and torsos stuck together like tallow.

From New York Times