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desiccate

Pronunciation: /ˈdɛsɪkeɪt/

Definition of desiccate

verb

[with object]
  • 1 (usually as adjective desiccated) remove the moisture from (something), typically in order to preserve it:desiccated coconut
  • 2 (as adjective desiccated) lacking interest, passion, or energy:a desiccated history of ideas

Derivatives

desiccation

Pronunciation: /-ˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/

noun

desiccative

Pronunciation: /-kətɪv/

adjective

Origin:

late 16th century: from Latin desiccat- 'made thoroughly dry', from the verb desiccare

Spelling help

Remember that desiccated is spelled with a single s and a double c.

desiccate in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of desiccate in the US English dictionary

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