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DictionaryRoot: liquere
Latin

liquere

to be fluid

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Three consecutive views of same ice cube changing from solid to slushy to a puddle on a warm plain plate, no labels.
noun

liquefaction

lik-wuh-FAK-shun/lˌɪkwʌfˈækʃʌn/

The process of becoming liquid or beginning to behave like a liquid.

Etymology
liqueLatinto be fluid
+factLatindo, make
+ionLatinan action, process, or result

The roots combine to mean “make fluid,” and the noun ending names that action as a process. Liquefaction therefore describes the change into a liquid state, rather than the liquid produced.

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