adj. & n.
adj. 1 having a consistency like that of water or oil, flowing freely but of constant volume. 2 having the qualities of water in appearance; translucent (liquid blue; a liquid lustre). 3 (of a gas, e.g. air, hydrogen) reduced to a liquid state by intense cold. 4 (of sounds) clear and pure; harmonious, fluent. 5 (of assets) easily converted into cash. 6 not fixed; fluid (liquid opinions).
n. 1 a liquid substance. 2 Phonet. the sound of l or r. liquid crystal a turbid liquid with some order in its molecular arrangement. liquid crystal display a form of visual display in electronic devices, in which the reflectivity of a matrix of liquid crystals changes as a signal is applied. liquid measure a unit for measuring the volume of liquids. liquid paraffin Pharm. a colourless odourless oily liquid obtained from petroleum and used as a laxative. liquidly adv. liquidness n.
[ ME f. L liquidus f. liquere be liquid ]