LiquidLiq"uid (lĭk"wĭd), 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 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.
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.
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.
Liquid glass. See Soluble glass, under Glass.
