decrepitate

American  

[dih-krep-i-teyt] / dɪˈkrɛp ɪˌteɪt /

verb (used with object)

decrepitated, decrepitating

1. to roast or calcine (salt, minerals, etc.) so as to cause crackling or until crackling ceases.

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verb (used without object)

decrepitated, decrepitating

1. to break up when exposed to heat.

decrepitate British  

/ dɪˈkrɛpɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to heat (a substance, such as a salt) until it emits a crackling sound or until this sound stops

2. (intr) (esp of a salt) to crackle, as while being heated

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Other Word Forms

• decrepitation noun

Etymology

Origin of decrepitate

1640–50; < New Latin dēcrepitātus crackled, past participle of dēcrepitāre, equivalent to Latin dē- de- + crepitāre to crackle (frequentative of crepāre to crack); -ate ¹

Related Words

• sparkle