liquidadj.n.

2. Phonetics. A name applied to the sounds denoted by the letters l, m, n, r, or (by some writers) only to those denoted by l and r.The name (Latin liquidæ, sc. litteræ) is a literal translation of the Greek ὑγρά (sc. στοιχεῖα) applied to λ, μ, ν, ρ, on account of their flowing and easy sound as compared with other consonants, or perhaps as having an indeterminate or unstable character between consonant and vowel (cf. the application of ὑγρός to a vowel of variable quantity; also the term ἡμίϕωνα ‘semi-vowels’, applied to the ‘liquids’ and σ). A somewhat analogous term is the French mouillé lit. ‘wet’, used to denote the palatalized pronunciation of l and some other consonants.

liquid air n. air in a liquid state.

liquid compass n. a form of magnetic compass used in ships in which the card and needle are mainly supported by floating in a bowl filled with liquid.

liquid controller n. = liquid rheostat n.

liquid crystal n. [translating German flüssiger krystall (O. Lehmann 1890, in Ann. d. Physik u. Chem. XL. 404)] Physical Chemistry a turbid liquid that exhibits double refraction (indicative of internal anisotropy and hence some degree of ordering in its structure, as in an ordinary crystal) and exists as a distinct state of certain pure substances between the melting point and some higher temperature, at which it becomes an ordinary liquid.

liquid crystal display n. a visual display, esp. of segmented numbers or letters, in which liquid crystals are made visible by temporarily modifying their birefringence by electrical or other means and hence the way they reflect and scatter ambient light; abbreviated LCD n. at L n. Initialisms 1.

liquid extract n. (occas. as one word) Pharmacology = fluid extract at fluid adj. 1a.

liquid fire n. any very ‘fiery’ (in taste) or highly combustible liquid, now esp. one that can be sent as a burning jet in warfare.

liquid fuel n. fuel that is a liquid, now esp. as used in rocketry.

liquid-fuelled adj.

liquid glue n. glue that keeps a liquid form till applied.

liquid lunch n. colloquial a midday meal at which drink rather than food is consumed.

liquid manure n. Horticulture a water extract of manure used as a fertilizer.

liquid oxygen n. oxygen in a liquid state.

liquid paraffin n. Pharmacology an almost tasteless and odourless oily liquid that consists of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum and is used as a laxative and in dressings.

liquid petrolatum n. North American = liquid paraffin n.

liquid rheostat n. a rheostat which uses an electrolyte solution as the resistive element.

liquid soap n. soap in liquid form.

liquid-solid adj. (see quot.).

liquid starter n. a liquid rheostat used as a starter of an electric motor.

liquid-drop n. used attributively in Physics to denote a theoretical model in which an explanation of the properties and behaviour of the atomic nucleus is sought by likening it to a droplet of liquid, as regards the forces between its constituents.

liquid-liquid adj. pertaining to or involving two different liquids, or liquids in two different ways.

† liquid vessel n. Obsolete receptacles for liquids.

ˈliquidless adj. without liquid.

Of a corporation, etc.: characterized by a high proportion or substantial quantity of assets in liquid form.