Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Evaporation \E*vap`o*ra"tion\, n. [L. evaporatio: cf. F.
   ['e]vaporation.]
   1. The process by which any substance is converted from a
      liquid state into, and carried off in, vapor; as, the
      evaporation of water, of ether, of camphor.

   2. The transformation of a portion of a fluid into vapor, in
      order to obtain the fixed matter contained in it in a
      state of greater consistence.

   3. That which is evaporated; vapor.

   4. (Steam Engine) See {Vaporization}.

Source : WordNet®

evaporation
     n 1: the process of becoming a vapor [syn: {vaporization}, {vaporisation},
           {vapor}, {vapour}]
     2: the process of extracting moisture [syn: {dehydration}, {desiccation},
         {drying up}]