verb
- to dissolve gradually by absorbing moisture from the air
- to melt away or disappear gradually
Usage: chemistry; technical
Usage: formal; literary
Examples
- Salt will deliquesce in humid conditions, forming a liquid solution.
- The sugar crystals began to deliquesce when exposed to the moist air.
- Calcium chloride deliquesces readily, making it useful as a desiccant.
- Her hopes seemed to deliquesce in the face of harsh reality.
- The ancient tablet deliquesced over centuries of exposure to moisture.
- Certain salts deliquesce so quickly they appear to melt before your eyes.