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thickening

thickening

4 4.6
The process or result of something becoming more dense
  • noun
  • /ˈθɪkənɪŋ/
translation icon : engrosamiento
  • The thickening of the sauce was essential for the recipe to achieve the right consistency.
  • mucosal thickening
  • wall thickening
  • tissue thickening

Next is a particular thickening of the skin on your palms, of your hands, and on the soles of your feet.

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Examples

  • The swelling that results from the cough may evolve into a vocal fold thickening.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Domestic and foreign practices generally show that the preliminary thickening of sludge is a reasonable technique.

    Academic text (1998)
  • But she had massive thickening of her prevertebral soft tissues.

  • Next is a particular thickening of the skin on your palms, of your hands, and on the soles of your feet.

  • The echocardiogram may also show any thickening of the leaflets.

    Academic text (2007)
  • In addition, there is thickening of the ligaments and muscular hypoplasia.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Comparison of the two films shows decreased mucosal thickening and improved sinus aeration after treatment.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Sebaceous tissue has become bulbous and disfiguring, leading to skin thickening and irregular nodular skin.

    Academic text (2015)
  • During myocardial ischemia, changes in subendocardial wall thickening correlated closely with a reduction in endocardial blood flow.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Consensus readings of diffuse pleural thickening and pleural plaques were reported in 5 and 45 participants, respectively.

    Academic text (2012)

Synonyms

buildup
vsthickening
64 3.1

A slow increase in something over time

is the process of becoming denser rather than simply accumulating over time
accretion
vsthickening
  • Specialized
6 7.4

Gradual growth by adding small bits or layers of matter

is about becoming denser or more compact, not only slow accumulation
coagulation
vsthickening
  • Specialized
5 6.9

A change when a liquid becomes thick and forms clots, like blood or milk

describes general density increase rather than this specific liquid solidification process
compaction
vsthickening
1 6.5

Making soil or material denser by pressing it together

includes density increase by any cause, not only by applied pressure
condensing
vsthickening
1 4.9

Making something smaller or more compact by reducing its volume

is the general process of becoming denser or more compact rather than this specific method
consolidation
vsthickening
  • Specialized
1 6.7

A hard mass that forms when loose material is pressed together

refers more generally to becoming denser or more compact rather than only forming one solid mass
densification
vsthickening
  • Specialized
1 8.4

The act of making something more dense by adding more people, buildings, or tiny parts

is broader, applying to any becoming denser in various materials or situations
swelling
vsthickening
  • Specialized
1 4.1

An increase in size of a material, often when heated

refers to getting more dense or compact rather than expanding in volume
inspissation
vsthickening
  • Specialized
9.9

A liquid becoming thicker because it loses water

covers any process that increases density or thickness, not only water loss
apposition
vsthickening
  • Specialized
9.9

Adding new layers to a cell wall so it becomes thicker

is the broad idea of becoming denser and applies beyond biological layer addition

Antonyms

thinning
  • Specialized
21 3.4

Making a liquid less thick by adding water or another liquid

How Thick

solidification
  • Specialized
1 6.8
coagulation
  • Specialized
5 6.9
thickening
4 4.6
thinning
  • Specialized
21 3.4

Surface Forms

thickening singular
thickenings plural

Morphology

thickening = thicken (transparent) = thick + en + ing

This sense is an -ing nominalization denoting the process or result of 'thicken' and is a standard, predictable formation.

Etymology

Thickening comes from thick 'not thin' plus -en 'to make' and -ing for the action or result. So thickening is the process or result of something becoming denser, for example in sauce, clouds, or arteries.