Liq"uid (l&ibreve;k"w&ibreve;d), a. [L.
liquidus, fr. liquere to be fluid or liquid; cf. Skr.
rī to ooze, drop, lī to melt.]
1. Flowing freely like water; fluid; not
solid.
Yea, though he go upon the plane and liquid
water which will receive no step.
Tyndale.
2. (Physics) Being in such a state
that the component parts move freely among themselves, but do not
tend to separate from each other as the particles of gases and vapors
do; neither solid nor aëriform; as, liquid mercury, in
distinction from mercury solidified or in a state of vapor.
3. Flowing or sounding smoothly or without
abrupt transitions or harsh tones. "Liquid melody."
Crashaw.
4. Pronounced without any jar or harshness;
smooth; as, l and r are liquid
letters.
5. Fluid and transparent; as, the
liquid air.
6. Clear; definite in terms or
amount.[Obs.] "Though the debt should be entirely
liquid." Ayliffe.
Liquid glass. See Soluble glass,
under Glass.
Liq"uid, n. 1. A
substance whose parts change their relative position on the slightest
pressure, and therefore retain no definite form; any substance in the
state of liquidity; a fluid that is not aëriform.
&fist; Liquid and fluid are terms often used
synonymously, but fluid has the broader signification. All
liquids are fluids, but many fluids, as air and the gases, are not
liquids.
2. (Phon.) A letter which has a
smooth, flowing sound, or which flows smoothly after a mute; as,
l and r, in bla, bra. M and
n also are called liquids.
Liquid measure, a measure, or system of
measuring, for liquids, by the gallon, quart, pint, gill,
etc.
