evaporating

Definition

Turning from liquid into vapor or steam; in a climatological sense, the loss of surface moisture into the atmosphere due to heat.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'evaporare', which combines 'ex-' meaning out and 'vapor' meaning steam or exhalation. It entered English in the 16th century to describe the transition of liquids into gas.

In the news

The word describes the process by which record-breaking high temperatures are causing water sources to vanish into the air. It highlights the direct impact of extreme heat on local water levels.

Reading records second hottest day in 118 years

University of Reading

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