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liquéfier

to liquefy, to melt

verb lee-keh-FYEH Rare
Food & Drink Cooking

Origin: from Latin liquefacere (to make liquid)

Usage Note

Liquéfier is used both literally (melting a solid into liquid, or condensing a gas: gaz liquéfié) and figuratively, where se liquéfier colloquially means to go weak at the knees from fear or emotion. Gaz naturel liquéfié (GNL) is the French term for LNG. The reflexive se liquéfier is frequently used in informal speech.

Examples

"La chaleur a liquéfié le beurre laissé sur le plan de travail."

Natural Translation

The heat melted the butter left on the counter.

Literal Translation

The heat has liquefied the butter left on the work surface.

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