Deliquesce \Del`i*quesce"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Deliquesced};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Deliquescing}.] [L. deliquescere to melt,
dissolve; de- + liquescere to become fluid, melt, fr. liquere
to be fluid. See {Liquid}.] (Chem.)
To dissolve gradually and become liquid by attracting and
absorbing moisture from the air, as certain salts, acids, and
alkalies.
In very moist air crystals of strontites deliquesce.
--Black.
[1913 Webster]