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

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

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

Word origin

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.