desiccate (2009-06-11)

Part of Speech: verb

Pronunciation: ['de-sê-keyt]

Definition: (1) To dry; to preserve a food by drying. (2) To deplete of emotional or intellectual resources. The adjective, desiccate ['des-i-kêt] means "without spirit or vitality."

Usage: Basically, the word means "dried up." "Cleaning out Josh's closet, his mother found six single socks, an unfamiliar mitten, her husband's driver's license, a list of what seemed to be passwords to several State Department computer accounts, and an assortment of desiccated fruits and meats." Metaphorically, the word may be extended to the human psyche: "Finals week and questionable study habits desiccated many students by the end of the semester."

Suggested Usage: The British slang word "knackered" is synonymous with the second definition, but this word is of a much higher register. "After the long bitter campaign, the candidates emerged two desiccate souls in dire need of vacation."

Etymology: Latin desiccare derived from de- + siccare "to dry up" (from siccus "dry").