ex·sic·cate \ˈeksə̇ˌkāt, ekˈsiˌ-\transitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Latin exsiccatus, past participle of exsiccare, from ex- ex- (I) + siccare to dry, from siccus dry — more at sack : to drive moisture from (as by the action of heat) : make dry : dehydrate < exsiccated salt > : drain of moisture : dry up < an exsiccated swamp > : desiccate — now used chiefly in passive • ex·sic·ca·tion\ˌeksə̇ˈkāshən\noun-s