deliquesce

(del′i kwes′)

to melt away
Biol.
1. to melt away in the course of growth or decay, as parts of certain fungi
2. to branch into many fine divisions, as leaf veins
Chem. to become liquid by absorbing moisture from the air

Origin: L deliquescere < de-, from + liquescere, to melt, inchoative of liquere, to be liquid

Related Forms:

See deliquesce in American Heritage Dictionary 4

intransitive verb del·i·quesced, del·i·quesc·ing, del·i·quesc·es

a. To melt away.
b. To disappear as if by melting.
Chemistry To dissolve and become liquid by absorbing moisture from the air.
Botany
a. To branch out into numerous subdivisions that lack a main axis, as the stem of an elm.
b. To become fluid or soft on maturing, as certain fungi.

Origin:

Origin: Latin dēliquēscere

Origin: : dē-, de-

Origin: + liquēscere, to melt

Origin: , inchoative of liquēre, to be liquid

Related Forms: