torrefaction

Noun

torrefaction (countable and uncountable, plural torrefactions)

1. Drying or roasting; especially an anaerobic heat treatment to make wood waterproof.
   • During this operation the insects are constantly stirred about with a tin ladle; and sometimes water is sprinkled upon them, to prevent absolute torrefaction, which would destroy the colour, and reduce them to a coal ;1809, Andrew Grant, History of Brazil, page 142
   • Pelletization is a proven technology for improving biomass properties, whereas torrefaction is considered a plausible alternative for decreasing the moisture content, increasing the energy density and greatly facilitating the handleability and grindability properties of the torrefied material.2011, Luis Puigjaner, Syngas from Waste: Emerging Technologies, page 11

   Synonyms:

   torrification, torrefication

2. (broadly) The act or process of subjecting something to heat or to highly acidic substances.
   • They now began by a change of diet and other precautions to prepare themselves to encounter the torrefaction of a tropical climate, and in somewhat more than a fortnight arrived in Carlisle Bay in the island of Barbadoes, which was appointed the general rendezvous of the expedition.1806, The Critical Review, Or, Annals of Literature, page 387
   • The walls of the stomach are lined with a nerve-interwoven delicat membrane, which suffers from scalding fluids as much as any other tegumental tissues of the body, and by daily torrefactions becomes either callous or chronically inflamed, and in either case less fit for the performance of its...1883, The Popular Science Monthly - Volume 23, page 314
3. (figuratively) An angry outburst; vituperation.
   • Some Commentators take no notice of this Parallel, but certainly it is not to be omitted, nay it is of very great moment; and the manner of speech very fitly and significantly expresses the Heat, the Height of God's wrath kindled against Sinners; We see this Torrefaction is adapted to the usual...1699, John Edwards, A compleat history
   • Under such torrefaction the doctor suffered an ebullition of his anger and he replied : “You are rather pachycephalic not to understand what I have said.1905, American Medicine - Volume 10, page 936