deliquescent
Melting in humidity
Deliquescent describes substances that absorb moisture from the air until they dissolve in it—certain salts left in humid conditions will literally liquefy.
The word extends to anything that seems to melt away or become liquid: deliquescent prose, the deliquescent boundaries between genres.
In botany, deliquescent describes branching patterns where the main stem dissolves into smaller divisions rather than continuing as a central trunk.
Convert to liquid state
- dissolveDisperse into liquid
- solutionAnswer or liquid mixture
- solubleAble to dissolve
- aqueousPertaining to liquid solutions
leach · seepage · permeate · absorb · diffusion · hydration · liquidize · ooze
Lasting very briefly
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- evanescentTending to vanish quickly
- impermanentNot meant to last
- transitoryBrief in duration
vanishing · decaying · fading · dissipating · volatile · unstable · perishable · fragile
Absorbs moisture from surroundings
- humectantMoisture-attracting substance
- calcium chlorideHygroscopic salt for de-icing
- potassium carbonateAlkaline salt, K2CO3
- magnesium chlorideIonic compound, two elements
sodium hydroxide · desiccant · hydrous · aqueous · hydration · efflorescence · corrosive · alkali
liquefy
Convert to liquid state
aqueous · leach · seepage · permeate · absorb · diffusion · hydration · liquidize · ooze · weep
ephemeral
Lasting very briefly
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- evanescentTending to vanish quickly
- impermanentNot meant to last
transitory · vanishing · decaying · fading · dissipating · volatile · unstable · perishable · fragile · deteriorating
hygroscopic
Absorbs moisture from surroundings
- humectantMoisture-attracting substance
- calcium chlorideHygroscopic salt for de-icing
- potassium carbonateAlkaline salt, K2CO3
magnesium chloride · sodium hydroxide · desiccant · hydrous · aqueous · hydration · efflorescence · corrosive · alkali · phosphorus
thaw
Return to liquid
flux · slushy · mushy · soggy · runny · ooze · gelatinous · viscous · gooey · drippy
deliquescenthydrophobic
Repels aqueous substances
water-repellent · efflorescent · hygroscopic · desiccant · moisture-resistant
deliquescentstable
Secure and unchanging
inert · non-reactive · durable · solid · crystalline