deliquescent

adjective

del·​i·​ques·​cent ˌde-li-ˈkwe-sᵊnt 

1

: tending to melt or dissolve

especially : tending to undergo gradual dissolution and liquefaction by the attraction and absorption of moisture from the air

2

: having repeated division into branches

elms are deliquescent trees

compare excurrent sense 2a

deliquescence

ˌde-li-ˈkwe-sᵊn(t)s 

noun

Examples of deliquescent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Big, bold and playfully grotesque, these recall the deliquescent figure sculptures of Willem de Kooning, with a few more accessories tacked on (balls, birds, various tools). —Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 5 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Latin deliquescent-, deliquescens, present participle of deliquescere

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

deliquescent

adjective

del·​i·​ques·​cent ˌdel-ə-ˈkwes-ᵊnt 

1

: tending to melt or dissolve

especially : tending to dissolve gradually by absorbing moisture from the air

2

: having repeated division into branches

elms are deliquescent trees

deliquescence

-ᵊn(t)s 

noun

Medical Definition

deliquescent

adjective

del·​i·​ques·​cent -ᵊnt 

: tending to melt or dissolve

especially : tending to undergo gradual dissolution and liquefaction by the attraction and absorption of moisture from the air