Also 6 exc-, exiccate, 7–8 exiccate. [f. ppl. stem of L. ex(s)iccāre, f. ex- (see EX- pref.2) + siccus dry.]
1. trans. To dry, make dry, absorb or remove all moisture from; to drain (a spring) dry; to dry up (moisture).
1545. Raynold, Byrth Mankynde, 56. Let her auoyde such thynges the which shold exiccat … her.
1563. T. Gale, Antidot., II. 11. These ij vnguentes are excellent in exciccating ericipelas.
1677. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., II. vi. 171. Bodies of the Egyptians that have been exsiccated into Mummy.
1679. Plot, Staffordsh. (1686), 87. The Spring near the Church … has been sometimes exsiccated.
1707. J. Mortimer, Husb. VII. i. (1708), 228. Heats and Droughts … exsiccate and waste the moisture and vegetative Nature of the Earth.
1809. Pearson, in Phil. Trans., XCIX. 327. This dissolution being exsiccated grew liquid on exposure to air.
absol. 1612. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. (1653), 67. Cortex Gnaiaci hath the same vertue as the Lignum Gnaiacum hath, but exsiccateth much more.
1627–47. Feltham, Resolves, 209. Ayre exsiccates & drawes to itself.
2. intr. for refl. To dry up, lose all moisture.
1686. Goad, Celest. Bodies, II. xii. 321. ’Tis a Question worth while, adds he, how they can Exsiccate.
Hence Exsiccated ppl. a., Exsiccating vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
1620. Venner, Via Recta, vi. 109. They are of a more exiccating nature.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., II. iii. 68. The exsiccated powder … ascends not unto the Loadstone.
1669. Worlidge, Syst. Agric. (1681), 4. By the heat of the Sun, or exsiccating power of the Air.
1799. G. Smith, Labor., I. 427. Throw common exsiccated salt in it.
1872. O. W. Holmes, Poet Breakf.-t., ix. 294. That exsiccated … organism.
