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aridification

noun arid·i·fi·ca·tion \ ə-ˌri-də-fə-ˈkā-shən , a- \
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Definition of aridification

: the gradual change of a region from a wetter to a drier climate
  • The onset of sudden aridification in Mesopotamia near 4100 calendar yr B. P. coincided with a widespread cooling in the North Atlantic …
  • —Peter B. de Menocal,  Science,  27 Apr. 2001

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Origin and Etymology of aridification

arid +-ification

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