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to slake

to slake

9.9
To make lime heat and break down by adding water
  • verb
  • /sleɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : apagar
  • Biosolids slaked with lime would have a higher pH value, in the range of 8 to 11 or even 12.
  • slaked lime

Examples

  • "You put a fifty-pound bag of slaked lime in the next crucible and your problem is over.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • To create a strong cement mixture, you must slake the powdered lime by gradually adding water.

  • At least one day before they intend to use it, the clay is slaked down by adding water and allowing it to soak.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Before using the plaster, remember to slake the lime with water to achieve the right consistency.

  • The workers will slake the lime so it can be mixed smoothly into the mortar.

Synonyms

to slack
vsto slake
  • Archaic
9.9

To add water to lime so it heats and breaks into powder

means the same but is the usual modern spelling

Surface Forms

slake infinitive
slaked past
slaked past participle
slaking present participle
slakes third person singular

Etymology

Slake comes from an old English word meaning 'to make slack' or 'loosen', and it is related to the common word slack. When you add water to quicklime it 'loosens' and cools down and breaks into a paste, so to slake lime is to make it stop burning and fall apart.