arefaction

CIDE DICTIONARY

arefaction, n. [L. arefacere to dry.].

 The act of drying, or the state of growing dry.  [1913 Webster]
"The arefaction of the earth."  [1913 Webster]

ROGET THESAURUS

arefaction

Dryness

N dryness, siccity, aridity, drought, ebb tide, low water, exsiccation, desiccation, arefaction, dephlegmation, drainage, drier, desiccative, dessicator, dessicator, hair drier, clothes drier, gas drier, electric drier, vacuum oven, drying oven, kiln, lyophilizer, clothesline, dry, anhydrous, arid, adust, arescent, dried, undamped, juiceless, sapless, sear, husky, rainless, without rain, fine, dry as a bone, dry as dust, dry as a stick, dry as a mummy, dry as a biscuit, water proof, water tight, dehydrated, dessicated.