desiccativeadj.n.
/dɪˈsɪkətɪv//ˈdɛsɪkeɪtɪv/ A. adj.
Having the tendency or quality of drying up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > dryness > [adjective] > drying
dryinga1398
exsiccativec1400
uritivea1425
desiccative?1541
siccative1547
exsiccating1620
desiccating1638
exsiccant1657
desiccant1775
desiccatoryc1800
dehydrating1884
dehumidifying1933
in-sack1951
?1541 R. Copland Galen's Fourth Bk. Terapeutyke sig. Aivv, in Guy de Chauliac's Questyonary Cyrurgyens The faculte of medycyns ought to be desyccatyfe.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. xxxi. x. 418 Astringent it is, desiccative, binding, and knitting.
1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) I. 60 Warm winds, as the Sirocco, Harmatan, etc., are more desiccative than cold winds.
1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 429 It is more desiccative than linseed oil.
B. n.
A desiccative agent: a desiccant. ? Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > dryness > [noun] > making dry > that which
desiccativec1400
dryer1528
desiccant1676
siccative1825
desiccator1837
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines for specific purpose > medicine to draw, disperse, etc., matter or humours > [noun] > drying medicine
desiccativec1400
exsiccative1562
desiccant1676
exsiccant1676
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 57 A moist discracie..þou schalt help wiþ desiccativis.
?1541 R. Copland Formularye Aydes Apostemes in Guy de Chauliac's Questyonary Cyrurgyens sig. Riijv Medycyns that be colde, dyssycatyues, & infrigidatyues.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 138 Wheat is such a desiccatiue, that it wil draw and drie vp the wine or any other liquor in a barrell which is buried within it.
1708 Brit. Apollo 15–20 Oct. Coffe is a very great Desiccative.
1739 J. Sparrow tr. H. F. Le Dran Observ. Surg. lx. 211 The Wound..was dressed with..Desiccatives, calcined Alum and other Medicines.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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adj.n.c1400