des·ic·ca·tor \ˈdesə̇ˌkād.ə(r), -sēˌ-, -ātə-\noun (-s) 1.: a container (as a glass jar) fitted with an airtight cover and containing at the bottom some desiccating agent (as calcium chloride) < when a substance to be dried would be decomposed by high temperature it is dried in a desiccator > 2.: a machine or apparatus for desiccating fruit, milk, or other food usually by the aid of heat and sometimes in a vacuum