Lewis & Short

ārĕ-făcĭo (contr. arfăcĭo, Cato, R. R. 69;

  1. I. per anastrophen, facio are, Lucr. 6, 962; cf. Rudd. II. p. 392), fēci, factum, 3, v. a. [areo], to make dry, to dry up (anteclass. and post-Aug.; syn.: sicco, exsicco, coquo, uro), Cato, R. R. 69: principio terram sol excoquit et facit are, * Lucr. 6, 962; Varr. L. L. 5, § 38 Müll.; Vitr. 2, 1; Vulg. Job, 15, 30; ib. Jac. 1, 11.
    Pass.: arefieri in furno, Plin. 32, 7, 26, § 32: caulis arefactus, id. 13, 22, 43, § 125; so id. 34, 13, 35, § 133; Cels. 5, 27, n. 7; * Suet. Vesp. 5: arefacta est terra, Vulg. Gen. 8, 14: ficulnea, ib. Matt. 21, 19.
  2. II. Trop. (eccl. Lat.), to wither up, break down: gentem superbam arefecit Deus, Vulg. Eccli. 10, 18: arefacient animam suam, ib. ib. 14, 9.