desiccant

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

desiccant
    n 1: a substance that promotes drying (e.g., calcium oxide
         absorbs water and is used to remove moisture) [syn:
         {desiccant}, {drying agent}, {drier}, {siccative}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Desiccant \De*sic"cant\, a. [L. desiccans, p. pr. of desiccare.
   See {Desiccate}.]
   Drying; desiccative. -- n. (Med.) A medicine or application
   for drying up a sore. --Wiseman.
   [1913 Webster]

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