v. [ad. F. solidifier: see SOLID a. and -(I)FY.]
1. trans. To render solid; to convert into a solid body; to make firm, hard or compact.
1799. Kirwan, Geol. Ess., 125. In these cases the water seems to be solidified by a loss of great part of its specific heat.
1807. T. Thomson, Chem. (ed. 3), II. 625. This powder … absorbs water very rapidly, and solidifies it.
1854. Ronalds & Richardson, Chem. Technol. (ed. 2), I. 148. The pressing machine for solidifying the fuel.
1871. B. Stewart, Heat, § 84. Although we cannot as yet solidify alcohol.
fig. 1858. Hawthorne, Fr. & It. Note-bks. (1872), II. 223. The difficulty of retaining it in the mind and solidifying it into a description.
1866. Cornh. Mag., Oct., 413. He could not solidify the prejudices of the mass.
1889. ‘Mark Twain,’ Yankee at Crt. K. Arth., viii. The tower episode solidified my power.
b. transf. To concentrate or consolidate.
1885. Manch. Weekly Times, 20 June, 5/5. Mr. Disraeli took command of the Protectionist Tories, and sought to solidify them into a party which might on some happy occasion be strong enough to take office.
1885. Pall Mall Gaz., 25 Feb., 10/2. Organizing and solidifying the Liberal vote in the new constituency.
2. intr. To become solid; to change or pass from a liquid or gaseous to a solid state.
1837. J. T. Smith, trans. Vicat’s Mortars, 40. In the condition of very stiff paste … they … solidify more quickly.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., II. xxxi. 409. If … molten [bismuth] … be poured into a bullet-mould it will expand on solidifying.
1878. Huxley, Physiogr., 60. Water solidifies, by reduction of temperature.
Hence Solidifying vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
1850. Grove, Corr. Phys. Forces (ed. 2), 36. The freezing or solidifying point.
1856. Orr’s Circ. Sci., Pract. Chem., 469. Oil of poppies retards the solidifying effect.
