liquid#

liquid adj Liquid, fluid are comparable both as adjectives meaning composed of particles that move easily and flowingly and change their relative position without any perceptible break in their continuity and as nouns denoting a substance composed of such particles. Both terms imply an opposition to solid, but liquid is the more restricted in its application, for the term implies the flow characteristic of water and refers only to substances which, like water, have a definite volume but no independent form except such as is temporarily given by their container

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such potable liquids as water, milk, and wines

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blood does not remain liquid long after removal from the blood vessels

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Fluid, on the other hand, implies flow of any sort and is applicable not only to all liquids but also to gases, which, unlike liquids, have neither independent volume nor shape

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air whether in the gaseous or liquid state is a fluid

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fluid blood

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Fluid is especially appropriate for referring to a substance that is highly viscous

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molasses is a fluid substance

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or to one liquefied (as by melting, dissolving, or saturating with water)

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fluid rock

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fluid wax

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mud is fluid earth

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In extended use fluid is opposed to rigid, fixed, unchangeable

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"open societies" of which the boundaries are fluid or indefinite, such as humanity or even the League of Nations— Alexander

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emotion, formless, chaotic, fluid in itself— Lowes

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in London all values and all meanings were fluid— Rose Macaulay

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Liquid, on the other hand, often implies an opposition to harshness

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1liquid[/i] tones

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thy liquid notes that close the eye of day— Milton

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but it sometimes implies transparency or extreme softness or both

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his liquid glance— Wharton

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with what liquid tenderness she turned and looked back— Bennett

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In financial circles, where both terms are used, fluid may distinctively apply to money or funds that are not permanently invested or that are constantly in circulation

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the fluid gold of international trade

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but more often the terms are used interchangeably to imply the quality or condition of assets that are in the form of money or are easily convertible into money and are therefore readily available for another use.

Antonyms: solid: vaporous

liquid n fluid (see under LIQUID adj)

Antonyms: solid: vapor