Liquesce

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To gradually transform into a liquid state or take on the flowing quality of liquid
2. To melt or dissolve and assume the consistency and behavior of a fluid substance
3. To turn into a liquid form or begin flowing as if melted into a liquid state

Etymology: "Liquesce" is a rare verb meaning to melt or become liquid, and it comes straight from Latin "liquēscere," an inchoative verb built on "liquēre," to be liquid or fluid. The Latin ending "-escere" signals a process of beginning or growing into a state, so the word describes the gradual change into liquid rather than the liquid state itself. The root "liquēre" belongs to the same family as "liquid," "liquor," and "liquefy," which all descend from the notion of flowing. English "liquesce" is essentially a more technical cousin of "liquefy," and its Latin pedigree is what gives it the slightly formal, scientific feel of a word used to describe melting as a process unfolding over time.

Synonyms: liquefy, melt, dissolve

Antonyms: solidify, freeze