deliquescence
Dissolving by humidity
Deliquescence is the process by which a substance absorbs moisture from the air until it dissolves in the water it has attracted.
Certain salts are deliquescent—leave them exposed and they'll turn into puddles.
The term extends figuratively to gradual dissolution or decay: the deliquescence of the old regime.
The adjective is deliquescent.
Absorbs moisture from surroundings
- desiccantMoisture-absorbing material
- deliquescentDissolves by absorbing atmospheric moisture
- crystallizationForming ordered solid structure
- solubilityDissolving potential in liquid
hydration · sorption · saturation · equilibrium · calcium chloride · potassium hydroxide · sodium hydroxide · anhydrous
Lasting very briefly
- evanescentTending to vanish quickly
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- transientTemporary, soon departing
- impermanenceQuality of not lasting
fading · vanishing · dissipating · melting away · dissolving · transitory · passing · momentary
Moisture in atmosphere
- dampnessMild presence of water
- hygroscopyTendency to absorb humidity
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- condensationVapor turning to liquid
dewpoint · mugginess · saturation · waterlogged · sodden · clammy · soaked · drenched
Breaking up completely
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- disintegrationProcess of breaking apart
- degradationDecline in condition
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
corrode · erode · atrophy · rot · putrefaction · crumble · deterioration · wasting
hygroscopic
Absorbs moisture from surroundings
- desiccantMoisture-absorbing material
- deliquescentDissolves by absorbing atmospheric moisture
- crystallizationForming ordered solid structure
solubility · hydration · sorption · saturation · equilibrium · calcium chloride · potassium hydroxide · sodium hydroxide · anhydrous · hydrate
ephemeral
Lasting very briefly
- evanescentTending to vanish quickly
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- transientTemporary, soon departing
impermanence · fading · vanishing · dissipating · melting away · dissolving · transitory · passing · momentary · withering
humidity
Moisture in atmosphere
- dampnessMild presence of water
- hygroscopyTendency to absorb humidity
- absorptionProcess of taking in
condensation · dewpoint · mugginess · saturation · waterlogged · sodden · clammy · soaked · drenched · dripping
dissolution
Breaking up completely
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- disintegrationProcess of breaking apart
- degradationDecline in condition
breakdown · corrode · erode · atrophy · rot · putrefaction · crumble · deterioration · wasting · moldering
- mycologymycology, mushroom, toadstool, mycelium, mycorrhizae
- meltingice melting, thaw, snow melting, melt, cheese melting
- mass lossevaporation, sublimation, ablation, erosion, corrosion
deliquescenceefflorescence
Crystalline surface deposit
desiccation · evaporation · dehydration · drying · hydrophobicity
deliquescencecrystallization
Forming ordered solid structure
solidification · efflorescence · precipitation · recrystallization · coagulation
deliquescencestability
Resistance to displacement
permanence · structural integrity · insolubility · impermeability · durability