— decrepitation , n.
/di krep"i tayt'/ , v. , decrepitated, decrepitating .
v.t.
1. to roast or calcine (salt, minerals, etc.) so as to cause crackling or until crackling ceases.
v.i.
2. to break up when exposed to heat.
[ 1640-50; decrepitatus crackled, ptp. of decrepitare, equiv. to L de- DE- + crepitare to crackle (freq. of crepare to crack); see -ATE 1 ]