desiccate

views updated May 23 2018

des·ic·cate / ˈdesiˌkāt/ • v. [tr.] [usu. as adj.] (desiccated) remove the moisture from (something, esp. food), typically in order to preserve it: desiccated coconut. ∎  [as adj.] (desiccated) fig. lacking interest, passion, or energy: a desiccated history of ideas.DERIVATIVES: des·ic·ca·tion / -ˈkāshən/ n.des·ic·ca·tive / -ˌkātiv/ adj.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

desiccate

views updated May 21 2018

desiccate XVI. f. pp. stem of L. dēsiccāre, f. DE- 3 + siccāre make dry, f. siccus dry; see -ATE 3.
So desiccation XV. — late L.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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