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.