drying
UK: ˈdraɪɪŋ | US: ˈdraɪɪŋ
adj. in the process of losing moisture; becoming dry
n. the act or process of removing moisture
The word "drying" combines the Old English root "dry" (derived from Proto-Germanic *drūgiz, meaning "free from moisture") with the suffix "-ing," which forms present participles or gerunds. The root "dry" has retained its core meaning over centuries, while "-ing" dynamically adapts it to describe an ongoing process. This construction reflects a straightforward but powerful linguistic pattern in English: attaching "-ing" to verbs or adjectives to indicate continuous action or state.
The drying clothes fluttered in the breeze.
She left the pottery in the sun for faster drying.
Industrial drying techniques preserve food effectively.
His hands were rough from constant drying with harsh soap.
The drying ink smudged when touched.