desiccant, a. and n.
(dɪˈsɪkənt, ˈdɛsɪkənt)
[ad. L. dēsiccānt-em, pr. pple. of dēsiccāre: see desiccate, and note there as to stress.]
A. adj. Having the property of drying; serving to dry; esp. of a medicinal agent.
| 1775 Ash, Desiccant, drying, drying up humours. 1875 H. C. Wood Therap. (1879) 39 Litharge..used as a desiccant astringent powder for ulcers. 1940 Chambers's Techn. Dict. 236/2 Desiccants, substances of a hygroscopic nature, capable of absorbing moisture and therefore used as drying agents. 1958 Engineering 14 Mar. 352/3 Air passing through the desiccant (activated alumina) is practically sterile when it leaves. 1967 Times Rev. Industry May 80/2 A hermetically sealed polythene film bag, with a quantity of desiccant enclosed within it. |
B. n. A drying or desiccating agent; a medicine or remedy which dries up.
| 1676 Wiseman Surgery viii. v. (R.), We endeavour by moderate detergents and desiccants, to cleanse and dry the diseased parts. 1866 Pall Mall G. No. 492. 739/1 Dry air is the most effective desiccant. |