inspissate

verb

in·​spis·​sate in-ˈspi-ˌsāt  ˈin(t)-spə-ˌsāt 

inspissated; inspissating

transitive verb

: to make thick or thicker

inspissation

ˌin(t)-spə-ˈsā-shən 

(ˌ)in-ˌspi-ˈsā-

noun

inspissator

in-ˈspi-ˌsā-tər 

ˈin(t)-spə-ˌsā-

noun

Did you know?

Inspissate is ultimately derived from Latin spissus ("slow, dense") and is related to Greek spidnos ("compact") and Lithuanian "spisti" ("to form a swarm"). When it appeared in English in the 17th century, "inspissate" suggested a literal thickening. Francis Bacon, for example, wrote in 1626 that "Sugar doth inspissate the Spirits of the Wine, and maketh them not so easie to resolue into Vapour." Eventually "inspissate" was also used metaphorically. Clive Bell once wrote of "parties of school children and factory girls inspissating the gloom of the museum atmosphere." There is also an adjective inspissate, meaning "thickened in consistency or "made thick, heavy, or intense," but that word is used even less frequently than the somewhat rare verb.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin inspissatus, past participle of inspissare, from Latin in- + spissus slow, dense; akin to Greek spidnos compact, Lithuanian spisti to form a swarm

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined above

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