desiccate
1 of 2verb/ˈdɛ.sə.keɪt/
Forms:desiccates,desiccating,desiccated,desiccated
1
to preserve something, like food, by ridding it of all its moisture
- She desiccated the herbs to use them in cooking throughout the year.
- After harvesting, they desiccated the grains to prevent spoilage.
- They are currently desiccating the food samples to test their long-term viability.
- The scientist had desiccated the plant specimens for use in research.
- To keep the seeds viable, he desiccated them before storing them in a cool place.
2
to lose moisture and become dried up
- The scientist observed how the fruit desiccated after being left in the vacuum chamber.
- The flowers desiccate quickly in the scorching desert heat.
- If you don't water the plants regularly, they will desiccate and wither away.
- The lake began to desiccate after years of overuse and climate changes.
- The old leaves had desiccated over time, crumbling into dust when touched.
Antonyms:
3
to make thoroughly dry
- The relentless sun began to desiccate the once fertile valley.
- The heatwave threatened to desiccate crops across the region.
- The wind helped desiccate the puddles after the storm.
- Prolonged exposure to air can desiccate delicate plant specimens.
Synonyms: