des·ic·cate (d s  -k t )v. des·ic·cat·ed, des·ic·cat·ing, des·ic·cates v.tr. 1. To dry out thoroughly. 2. To preserve (foods) by removing the moisture. See Synonyms at dry. 3. To make dry, dull, or lifeless. v.intr. To become dry; dry out. adj. also (-k t) Lacking spirit or animation; arid: "There was only the sun-bruised and desiccate feeling in his mind" (J.R. Salamanca). [Latin d  siccre, dsicct- : d-, de- + siccre, to dry up (from siccus, dry).]des ic·cation n.des ic·cative adj.des ic·cator n. |
desiccator [ˈdɛsɪˌkeɪtə]
n
1. (Cookery) any apparatus for drying milk, fruit, etc.
2. (Chemistry) an airtight box or jar containing a desiccant, used to dry chemicals and protect them from the water vapour in the atmosphere
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