liquefaction

liq·ue·fac·tion  (lkw-fkshn)

n.

1. The process of liquefying.

2. The state of being liquefied.

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[Middle English liquefaccion, from Old French liquefacion, from Late Latin liquefacti, liquefactin-, from Latin liquefactus, past participle of liquefacere, to make liquid; see liquefy.]

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liquefaction  (lkw-fkshn)

1. Chemistry The act or process of turning a gas into a liquid. Liquefaction is usually achieved by compression of vapors (provided the temperature of the gas is below the critical temperature), by refrigeration, or by adiabatic expansion.

2. Geology The process by which sediment that is very wet starts to behave like a liquid. Liquefaction occurs because of the increased pore pressure and reduced effective stress between solid particles generated by the presence of liquid. It is often caused by severe shaking, especially that associated with earthquakes.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

liquefaction - the conversion of a solid or a gas into a liquid dissolving, dissolution - the process of going into solution; "the dissolving of salt in water" phase change, phase transition, physical change, state change - a change from one state (solid or liquid or gas) to another without a change in chemical composition