329. Processes


See also 158. FERMENTATION .

decoction
1. the process of boiling a substance in water to extract its essence.
2. the essence so produced.
decortication
the process of stripping off or removing the cortex or outer layer.
deliquescence
1. the process of melting away or becoming moist from absorbing moisture from the air.
2. the liquid substance so formed. Cf. efflorescence. —deliquescent, adj.
deracination
the process of pulling up by the roots; eradication.
despumation
the process of removing scum or despumating; figuratively, clarification.
desquamation
the peeling off of the skin in scales.
dimidiation
the process of dividing in half; the state of being halved.
edulcoration
the process of sweetening or removing the acid or other impurities from a substance.
effloresence
1. the process of drying out from evaporation.
2. the substance so formed. Cf. deliquescence . See also 414. WATER . — efflorescent, adj.
elution
removal of soluble matter from a substance to be refined by washing it in water.
elutriation
the process of elutriating, or purification by washing and straining.
emuscation
Rare. the process of removing moss.
endosmosis
(in osmosis) the more rapid spread of the less dense fluid through the membrane to join with the more dense. Cf. exosmosis. —endosmotic, adj.
enucleation
1. the process of extraction, as removing the kernel from a nut.
2. a process of clarification. Cf. exacination. —enucleator, n.
evanescence
1. the process of vanishing or fading away.
2. the condition of being transitory.
exacination
Rare. the process of removing a kernel, as from a nut. Cf. enucleation .
excoriation
the process of removing the skin or outer layer; flaying. See also 370. SKIN .
exosmosis
(in osmosis) the slower spread of the more dense fluid through the membrane to merge with the less dense. Cf. endosmosis. —exosmotic, adj.
extirpation
1. the process of extirpating or destroying totally, as by tearing up the roots.
2. the condition of being totally destroyed.
fulmination
the explosion that occurs when certain chemicals are detonated.
induration
1. the process of hardening or being hardened.
2. a hardened mass. — indurative, adj.
inspissation
the process of rendering a liquid thicker by evaporation. — inspissant, n. —inspissate, adj.
instauration
Obsolete, the restoration of something to its former condition; renewal or repair. — instaurator, n.
labefaction, labefactation
the process of coming apart, especially falling into ruin or decay.
lactescence
the process of becoming milky or the state of being milky. See also 272. MILK . — lactescent, adj.
lapidification
the process of turning to stone. Also called petrifaction, petrification .
levigation
1. the process of grinding to a fine powder.
2. the process of mixing thoroughly or grinding to a smooth paste. — levigate, adj.
levitation
the process of rising or being raised in the air.
lixiviation
the process of leaching alkaline salts from ashes by pouring water on them. — lixivial, —lixivious, adj.
lyophilization
a process for preserving substances such as blood or serum by freeze-drying in a high vacuum.
maceration
the act or process of softening or separating by soaking or steeping.
mordancy, mordacity
the property of acting as a fixative in dyeing. — mordant, n. , adj.
osmosis
the process by which fluids pass through a semipermeable membrane into a solution of lower concentration to equalize the concentration on both sides of the membrane. — osmotic, adj.
perscrutation
a thorough search; a diligent and detailed inquiry.
petrification, petrifaction
Iapidification.
putrescence
1. the state or process of rotting or putrefying.
2. rotting or putrefying matter. — putrescent, adj.
quassation
Rare. the act or process of shaking or being shaken.
recrudescence
the process of renewal or rebirth. — recrudescent, adj.
regenesis
the act or process of renewal or rebirth.
scintillation
the process of giving of sparks or flashes, used of wit or humor and of the twinkling of the stars.
scorification
the process of reducing to slag, scoria, or dross, as in the refining of metals.

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