A substance or agent that removes water or causes dehydration, often used in medicine or industrial processes.
From de- (remove) + hydrant (water source), though more directly from dehydrate + -ant (an agent that causes something). The term emerged in medical and chemical contexts in the 20th century.
Some dehydrants are used in food preservation because removing water stops bacteria from growing, which is why dried fruits and jerky last so long without refrigeration.
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