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Desiccation: meaning, definitions and examples

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desiccation

 

[ ˌdɛsɪˈkeɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

process of drying out

Desiccation refers to the process of removing the moisture from something, causing it to become extremely dry. It is commonly used in reference to the drying out of plants, food, or soil.

Synonyms

dehydration, drying out.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
desiccation

Used primarily in scientific or technical contexts to describe the process of extreme drying or removing all moisture from a substance.

  • The desiccation of the plant samples was necessary for the experiment
  • Prolonged exposure to strong sunlight can lead to desiccation of the soil
drying out

Often used in casual or everyday contexts to describe the process where something loses moisture over time, sometimes implying a negative effect.

  • If you leave the bread uncovered, it will start drying out
  • The garden is drying out because we haven't watered it in days
dehydration

Commonly used in medical or everyday contexts to describe the condition where a living organism loses more fluids than it intakes.

  • Drinking water is essential to prevent dehydration, especially during hot weather
  • Signs of dehydration in humans include dizziness and dry mouth

Examples of usage

  • Desiccation can be a problem for farmers during droughts.
  • The desiccation of the lake bed left it cracked and barren.
Context #2 | Noun

medical term for extreme dehydration

In a medical context, desiccation is used to describe a state of extreme dehydration in the body, often resulting from prolonged illness or lack of fluid intake.

Synonyms

dehydration, extreme dehydration.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
desiccation

This term is often used in scientific contexts to describe the process of extreme drying or the state of being thoroughly dried out, especially in relation to plants, foods, or chemicals.

  • The desiccation of the plant was evident after weeks without water.
  • Desiccation is crucial in the preservation of certain laboratory reagents.
extreme dehydration

This term is used to emphasize the severity of dehydration. It is often employed in medical or emergency situations to describe a critical level of water loss that poses a significant risk to health.

  • Extreme dehydration can lead to serious health complications or even death.
  • The hikers were suffering from extreme dehydration after being lost in the desert for days.
dehydration

Commonly used in everyday contexts, this word describes the process of losing water or the state of having lost a significant amount of water. It often refers to the condition in humans or animals but can also apply to substances.

  • It's important to drink water regularly to avoid dehydration.
  • The doctor immediately noticed signs of dehydration in the patient.

Examples of usage

  • The patient's desiccation required immediate rehydration.
  • Severe desiccation can lead to organ failure.

Translations

Translations of the word "desiccation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dessecação

🇮🇳 सुखाना

🇩🇪 Austrocknung

🇮🇩 pengeringan

🇺🇦 висушування

🇵🇱 wysuszenie

🇯🇵 乾燥 (かんそう)

🇫🇷 dessiccation

🇪🇸 desecación

🇹🇷 kurutma

🇰🇷 건조 (geonjyo)

🇸🇦 تجفيف

🇨🇿 vysušení

🇸🇰 vysušenie

🇨🇳 干燥 (gānzào)

🇸🇮 sušenje

🇮🇸 þurrkun

🇰🇿 кептіру

🇬🇪 გამშრობა

🇦🇿 qurutma

🇲🇽 desecación

Etymology

The word 'desiccation' comes from the Latin word 'desiccare', which means 'to dry up'. The process of desiccation has been used for centuries as a method of preserving food and other perishable items. In ancient times, desiccation was achieved through methods such as sun-drying or salting. Today, desiccation is still widely used in industries such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and food preservation.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,935, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.