I.v. inch. n. [liqueo], to become fluid or liquid, to melt.
I. Lit.: “tabes nivis liquescentis,” Liv. 21, 36: “haec ut cera liquescit,” Verg. E. 8, 80; Ov. M. 5, 431: “volnificusque chalybs vastā fornace liquescit,” Verg. A. 8, 446; Plin. 37, 10, 59, § 162: “corpora foeda jacent ... dilapsa liquescunt,” i. e. putrefy, Ov. M. 7, 550.—
B. Transf.
1. To become clear, limpid: aqua liquescit ac subsidit, Auct. B. Alex. 5.—
2. Of the liquid sound of l, m, n, r with other consonants, to merge, coalesce, be confined with other sounds: “eorum sonus liquescit et tenuatur,” Val. Prob. p. 1389 P.—
II. Trop.
A. To grow soft, effeminate: “qua (voluptate) cum liquescimus,” Cic. Tusc. 2, 22, 52. —
B. To melt or waste away: “fortuna liquescit,” Ov. Ib. 425.—Of a person: “minui et deperire, et, ut proprie dicam, liquescere,” Sen. Ep. 26.