liquefaction
UK[ˌlɪk.wɪˈfæk.ʃən]US[ˌlɪk.wəˈfæk.ʃən]
n
the process of making something liquid or becoming liquid.
n
the state of being liquid.
Morpheme Breakdown
liqu
efaction
liqu
liquid
efaction
making, process
Etymology
the word 'liquefaction' is a direct borrowing from late latin 'liquefactionem', the noun of action from the verb 'liquefacere', meaning 'to make liquid'. this latin verb is itself a compound of 'liquere' (to be fluid) and 'facere' (to make or do). the core semantic logic has remained remarkably stable from its classical origins: it denotes the action or process of causing something to take on a liquid state. this term entered middle english via old french, solidifying its place in scientific and general vocabulary to describe both a physical transformation and its resultant condition.
Analysis
Structure: liqu (liquid) + efaction (making, process)
liqu (from latin 'liquere', meaning 'to be fluid', root conveying the state of liquid); efaction (from latin '-facere', meaning 'to make', through the noun-forming suffix '-faction' indicating a process or result).
Examples
the liquefaction of the gas is achieved through extreme cooling and compression.
soil liquefaction during the earthquake caused buildings to sink into the ground.
the recipe involves the liquefaction of the solid chocolate in a double boiler.