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siccative (adj.)

1540s, from Late Latin siccativus "drying, siccative," from Latin siccatus, past participle of siccare "to dry, make dry; dry up," from siccus "dry, thirsty; without rain," from PIE root *seikw- "to flow out" (source also of Avestan hiku- "dry," Greek iskhnos "dry, withered," Lithuanian seklus "shallow," Middle Irish sesc "dry," Sanskrit sincati "makes dry"). The noun is first recorded 1825.

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Definitions of siccative from WordNet

siccative (n.)
a substance that promotes drying (e.g., calcium oxide absorbs water and is used to remove moisture);
Synonyms: desiccant / drying agent / drier
From wordnet.princeton.edu