Part 722

Li*qua"tion (l*kw"shn), n. [L. liquatio: cf. F. liquation.] 1. The act or operation of making or becoming liquid; also, the capacity of becoming liquid.

2. (Metal.) The process of separating, by heat, an easily fusible metal from one less fusible; eliquation.

Liq`ue*fa"cient (lk`w*f"shent), n. [L. liquefaciens, p. pr. of liquefacere. See Liquefy.] 1. That which serves to liquefy.

2. (Med.) An agent, as mercury, iodine, etc., which promotes the liquefying processes of the system, and increases the secretions.

Liq`ue*fac"tion (-fk"shn), n. [L. liquefactio: cf. F. liquéfaction. See Liquefy.] 1. The act or operation of making or becoming liquid; especially, the conversion of a solid into a liquid by the sole agency of heat.

2. The state of being liquid.

3. (Chem. Physics) The act, process, or method, of reducing a gas or vapor to a liquid by means of cold or pressure; as, the liquefaction of oxygen or hydrogen.

Liq"ue*fi`a*ble (lk"w*f`*b'l), a. [Cf. F. liquéfiable. See Liquefy.] Capable of being changed from a solid to a liquid state.

Liq"ue*fi`er (-r), n. That which liquefies.

Liq"ue*fy (-f), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Liquefied (-fd); p. pr. & vb. n. Liquefying (- f`ng).] [F. liquéfier, L. liquere to be liquid + facere, -ficare (in comp.), to make. See Liquid, and -fy.] To convert from a solid form to that of a liquid; to melt; to dissolve; and technically, to melt by the sole agency of heat.

Liq"ue*fy, v. i. To become liquid.

Li*ques"cen*cy (l*kws"sen*s), n. [See Liquescent.] The quality or state of being liquescent. Johnson.

Li*ques"cent (-sent), a. [L. liquescens, p. pr. of liquescere to become liquid, incho. fr. liquere to be liquid.] Tending to become liquid; inclined to melt; melting.

||Li`queur" (l`kr"), n. [F. See Liquor.] An aromatic alcoholic cordial. || Some liqueurs are prepared by infusing certain woods, fruits, or flowers, in either water or alcohol, and adding sugar, etc. Others are distilled from aromatic or flavoring agents.

Liq"uid (lk"wd), a. [L. liquidus, fr. liquere to be fluid or liquid; cf. Skr. r to ooze, drop, l to melt.]

1. Flowing freely like water; fluid; not solid.

Yea, though he go upon the plane and liquid water which will receive no step.

Tyndale.

2. (Physics) Being in such a state that the component parts move freely among themselves, but do not tend to separate from each other as the particles of gases and vapors do; neither solid nor aëriform; as, liquid mercury, in distinction from mercury solidified or in a state of vapor.

3. Flowing or sounding smoothly or without abrupt transitions or harsh tones. "Liquid melody." Crashaw.

4. Pronounced without any jar or harshness; smooth; as, l and r are liquid letters.

5. Fluid and transparent; as, the liquid air.

6. Clear; definite in terms or amount.[Obs.] "Though the debt should be entirely liquid." Ayliffe.

Liquid glass. See Soluble glass, under Glass.

Liq"uid, n. 1. A substance whose parts change their relative position on the slightest pressure, and therefore retain no definite form; any substance in the state of liquidity; a fluid that is not aëriform.

Liquid and fluid are terms often used synonymously, but fluid has the broader signification. All liquids are fluids, but many fluids, as air and the gases, are not liquids.

2. (Phon.) A letter which has a smooth, flowing sound, or which flows smoothly after a mute; as, l and r, in bla, bra. M and n also are called liquids.

Liquid measure, a measure, or system of measuring, for liquids, by the gallon, quart, pint, gill, etc.