Dehydrate
/diːˈhaɪ.dreɪt/noun
To remove water from a substance or organism.
Did you know?In ancient alchemy, the process of removing moisture was believed to capture the essence of life, turning matter into a 'dry spirit'.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wódr̥
“water, liquid that sustains life”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὕδωρ (hýdōr)
“water, essential for life and purification rituals”
Latin
Latin
hydrā
“water, often used in contexts of fluid and life-giving properties”
Late Middle English
Middle English
dehydraten
“to remove water from, particularly in drying processes for preservation”
Modern English
English
dehydrate
“to extract moisture, often used in food and scientific contexts.”