volatiliser

Senses

1. 1.

   to volatilize

   to convert or transform into vapor or gas

2. 2.

   to cause to evaporate

   to make (a liquid or solid substance) evaporate rapidly

3. 3.

   to render volatile

   to make unstable or fleeting (figuratively)

Examples

• "La chaleur volatilise l'éthanol."

  The heat volatilizes the ethanol.

• "Le solvant s'est volatilisé après quelques heures."

  The solvent evaporated after a few hours.

• "Ce scandale a volatilisé la confiance des investisseurs."

  This scandal made investor confidence disappear into thin air.

Usage

Primarily a technical or scientific term in chemistry and physics contexts. Can also be used figuratively to mean "to make disappear" or "to disperse." The reflexive form "se volatiliser" is common and means "to evaporate" or "to vanish."