| a highly adsorbent gelatinous form of silica, used chiefly as a dehumidifying and dehydrating agent. |

| silica gel n. Amorphous silica that resembles white sand and is used as a drying and dehumidifying agent, as a catalyst and catalyst carrier, as an anticaking agent in cosmetics, and in chromatography. |
silica gel
a highly porous, noncrystalline form of silica used to remove moisture from gases and liquids, to thicken liquids, to impart a dull surface to paints and synthetic films, and for other purposes.
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