drying-out

[ drahy-ing-out ]

noun

1. the process of detoxifying an alcoholic patient:

   Drying-out takes time.

Word History and Origins

Origin of drying-out¹

1965–70; noun use (with -ing ¹ ) of verb phrase dry out

Example Sentences

Moisture is your friend: Basil likes it best with consistent watering and very little drying-out between drinks.

From Salon

Economically important salmon runs in the Pacific Northwest are failing because the loss of alpine snowpack leads to the drying-out of Pacific-flowing streams and rivers.

From Washington Post

And then the clock shifts again, and we are back in 1986, as Self is about to enter a drying-out clinic in the English seaside town of Weston-super-Mare.

From Washington Post

A brief drying-out period following a strong storm that brought record rainfall and dumped snow on mountains and high deserts last week is expected to give way to even more rain across Southern California through Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times

Later, at a drying-out bar and restaurant Mitchell was inspecting for the telltale smell of mold, he issued a warning to Klobuchar and any other politician who would take selfies with frazzled residents to score political points, then vanish: “If you say you’re going to do something, I’m going to hold you to it.”

From Washington Post