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 gaseous and has a definite volume independent, of the container in which it is held. Liquids have a fixed volume at any given pressure, but their shape is determined by the container in which it is contained. Liquids, in contrast to gases, cannot expand indefinitely to fill an expanding container, and are only slightly compressible by application of pressure. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Liquid measure, a measure, or system of measuring, for liquids, by the gallon, quart, pint, gill, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Yea, though he go upon the plane and liquid water which will receive no step. Tyndale. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Physics) Being in such a state that the component molecules move freely among themselves, but have a definite volume changing only slightly with changes of pressure, and do not tend to separate from each other as the particles of gases and vapors do when the volume of the container is increased; neither solid nor gaseous; as, liquid mercury, in distinction from mercury solidified or in a state of vapor. Liquid substances may form a definite interface with gases, whereas the molecules of different gases freely intermingle with each other. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

3. Flowing or sounding smoothly or without abrupt transitions or harsh tones. “Liquid melody.” Crashaw. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Pronounced without any jar or harshness; smooth; as, l and r are liquid letters. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Fluid and transparent; as, the liquid air. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Clear; definite in terms or amount. [ Obs. ] “Though the debt should be entirely liquid.” Ayliffe.

7. (Finance) In cash or readily convertible into cash without loss of principle; -- said of assets, such as bank accounts, or short-term bonds tradable on a major stock exchange. [ PJC ]

Liquid glass. See Soluble glass, under Glass. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (Physics) A transparent limpid liquid, slightly blue in color, consisting of a mixture of liquefied oxygen and nitrogen. It is prepared by subjecting air to great pressure and then cooling it by its own expansion to a temperature below the boiling point of its constituents (N: -194° C; O: -183° C.). [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ Liquid + amber. ] 1. (Bot.) A genus consisting of two species of tall trees having star-shaped leaves, and woody burlike fruit. Liquidambar styraciflua is the North American sweet qum, and Liquidambar Orientalis is found in Asia Minor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The balsamic juice which is obtained from these trees by incision. The liquid balsam of the Oriental tree is liquid storax. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Liquidambar. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Liquidated p. pr. & vb. n. Liquidating. ] [ LL. liquidatus, p. p. of liquidare to liquidate, fr. L. liquidus liquid, clear. See Liquid. ] 1. (Law) To determine by agreement or by litigation the precise amount of (indebtedness); or, where there is an indebtedness to more than one person, to determine the precise amount of (each indebtedness); to make the amount of (an indebtedness) clear and certain. [ 1913 Webster ]

A debt or demand is liquidated whenever the amount due is agreed on by the parties, or fixed by the operation of law. 15 Ga. Rep. 321. [ 1913 Webster ]

If our epistolary accounts were fairly liquidated, I believe you would be brought in considerable debtor. Chesterfield. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In an extended sense: To ascertain the amount, or the several amounts, of, and apply assets toward the discharge of (an indebtedness). Abbott. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To discharge; to pay off or settle, as an indebtedness. [ 1913 Webster ]

Friburg was ceded to Zurich by Sigismund to liquidate a debt of a thousand florins. W. Coxe. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To make clear and intelligible. [ 1913 Webster ]

Time only can liquidate the meaning of all parts of a compound system. A. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To make liquid. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To convert (assets) into cash. [ PJC ]

7. To kill; -- used mostly of governments or organizations killing their enemies; as, Stalin liquidated many of the Kulaks. [ PJC ]

8. To dissolve (an organization); to terminate (an activity). [ PJC ]

Liquidated damages (Law), damages the amount of which is fixed or ascertained. Abbott. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. liquidation. ] The act or process of liquidating; the state of being liquidated. [ 1913 Webster ]

To go into liquidation (Law), to turn over to a trustee one's assets and accounts, in order that the several amounts of one's indebtedness may be authoritatively ascertained, and that the assets may be applied toward their discharge. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. liquidateur. ] 1. One who, or that which, liquidates. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An officer appointed to conduct the winding up of a company, to bring and defend actions and suits in its name, and to do all necessary acts on behalf of the company. [ Eng. ] Mozley & W. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. Same as liquidize.
Syn. -- liquefy, liquify, make liquid, liquidize, make fluid. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ L. liquiditas, fr. liquidus liquid: cf. F. liquidité. ] The state or quality of being liquid. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ 1913 Webster ]