Freeze-Dry
/ˈfriːz ˌdraɪ/noun
To preserve food or other material by freezing it and then removing the ice by vacuum drying.
Did you know?The process itself is called lyophilization in science, from Greek roots meaning “solvent-loving,” a reminder that even preservation has a hidden language of transformation.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
frēosan
“to freeze, turn to ice”
Old English
OE
drūgian
“to dry up, become dry”
Late 19th Century
English
freeze-dry
“to preserve by freezing and removing moisture under reduced pressure”
20th Century
English
freeze-drying
“the process of preserving materials by sublimation of frozen water”
Modern English
English
freeze-dry
“to preserve by freezing and vacuum drying”
Explore more surprising origins