des|ic|cate

des|ic|cate «DEHS uh kayt», verb, -cat|ed, -cat|ing.

–v.t.

1. a) to deprive of moisture or water; dry thoroughly; dry: »

The soil in a desert is desiccated by the dry air and sun.

b) Figurative. to make intellectually or spiritually dry: »

that desiccated and discouraged brain (Lytton Strachey).

2. to preserve by drying thoroughly; dehydrate: »

desiccated fruit.

–v.i.

to become dry.

╂[< Latin dēsiccāre (with English -ate¹) < dē- down, out + siccus dry]