Definition of desiccate

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< desiccant

desiderata >

des·ic·cate    (ds-kt) KEY  

VERB:
des·ic·cat·ed , des·ic·cat·ing , des·ic·cates
VERB:
tr.

1. To dry out thoroughly.
2. To preserve (foods) by removing the moisture. See Synonyms at dry.
3. To make dry, dull, or lifeless.

VERB:
intr.

To become dry; dry out.

ADJECTIVE:
(also -kt)

Lacking spirit or animation; arid: "There was only the sun-bruised and desiccate feeling in his mind" (J.R. Salamanca).

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ETYMOLOGY:
Latin dsiccre , dsicct- : d-, de- + siccre, to dry up (from siccus, dry)

OTHER FORMS:
desic·cation (Noun), desic·cative (Adjective), desic·cator (Noun)

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