Becoming damp or liquid by absorption of water from the atmosphere and then dissolving in the water taken up; a property found in certain salts, such as CaCl2. [L. de-liquesco, to melt or become liquid]
* * *
del·i·ques·cence .del-i-'kwes-ən(t)s n the action or process of dissolving or becoming liquid esp. by a deliquescent substance also the resultant state or the liquid produced
del·i·quesce -'kwes vi, -quesced; -quesc·ing
* * *
del·i·ques·cence (del″ĭ-kwesґəns) [L. deliquescere to grow moist] the condition of becoming moist or liquefied as a result of the absorption of water from the air.Medical dictionary. 2011.