desiccant

[ des-i-kuhnt ]

adjective

1. desiccating or drying, as a medicine.

noun

1. a desiccant substance or agent.

desiccant

/ ˈdɛsɪkənt /

adjective

1. desiccating or drying

noun

1. a substance, such as calcium oxide, that absorbs water and is used to remove moisture; a drying agent

Word History and Origins

Origin of desiccant¹

1670–80; < Latin dēsiccant-, stem of dēsiccāns, present participle of dēsiccāre to dry up. See desiccate, -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of desiccant¹

C17: from Latin dēsiccāns drying up; see desiccate

Example Sentences

Even if food-related uses are probably out, there are still plenty of ways to safely reuse the desiccant and keep it out of landfills and waterways for a bit longer after reactivating the packets.

From Popular-Science

The desiccant absorbs it, keeping the glass clear — until the desiccant stops working.

From Washington Post

Alive or dead, the gunk was the most powerful desiccant I'd ever heard of.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• arid
• bare
• barren
• dehydrated
• dusty
• parched
• stale
• torrid