moist
Language: English
Part of speech: verb
Pronunciation: ipa: /mɔɪst/
rhymes: -ɔɪst
Forms: form: moists
form: moisting
form: moisted
form: moisted
Etymology: From Middle English moisten, moist, moiste (“to make moist or wet; to soak in liquid; to become moist or wet; to provide with moisture or water; to satisfy thirst with liquor or water, slake”) [and other forms], and then either:
* from Anglo-Norman muster (“to make moist or wet”), Middle French moistir, and Old French moistir (“to make moist or wet; to become moist or wet”) (compare enmoistir; modern French moitir), from Old French moiste, muste (“damp, moist, wet”) (see etymology 1) + -ir (suffix forming infinitives of second conjugation verbs); or
* from Middle English moist, moiste (adjective) (see etymology 1), though the adjective is first attested later.
Senses: examples: text: He calleth for a ſponge (ſaith Theodoritus) and therevvith moiſteth and vvaſsheth Simeones mouthe, and then geueth him the holy Sacrament.
ref: 1566 January 30, Iohn Iewel [i.e. John Jewel], “M. [Thomas] Hardinge. The 21. Diuision.”, in A Replie unto M. Hardinges Ansvveare: […], London: […] Henry VVykes, →OCLC:
text: They [the legendary Fortunate Isles] haue raine there very ſeldom, howbeit a gentle winde commonly that bloweth in a litle ſiluer dew, which moiſteth the earth ſo finely, that it maketh it fertile and luſtie, not onely to bring forth all that is ſet or ſowen apon it but of it ſelfe without mans hand it beareth ſo good frute, as ſufficiently maintaineth the inhabitants dwelling apon it, liuing idlely, and taking no paines.
ref: 1579, Plutarke of Chæronea [i.e., Plutarch], “The Life of Sertorius”, in Thomas North, transl., The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romaines, […], London: […] Richard Field, →OCLC, page 629:
text: Now no more
The iuyce of Egypts Grape ſhall moyſt this lip.
ref: c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii], page 367, column 1:
synonyms: dampen
enmoisten
hydrate
wet
antonyms: word: dehydrate
word: desiccate
word: dry
word: exiccate
word: exsiccate
word: parch
qualifier: obsolete except British
glosses: To make (something) moist or wet; to moisten.
glosses: To inspire, to refresh (someone); also, to soften (one's heart).
glosses: To rain lightly; to drizzle.
examples: text: Auyſing the bright bemes of theſe fayer Iyes
where he is that myn oft moiſteth & waſſheth
ref: c. 1527–1542, Thomas Wyatt, “Auysing the bright bemes of these fayer Iyes”, in Egerton MS 2711, page 22r:
english: Avising the bright beams of these fair eyes,
Where he is that mine oft moisteth and washeth; […]
translation: Avising the bright beams of these fair eyes,
Where he is that mine oft moisteth and washeth; […]
bold_translation_offsets: 71
79
text: Againe, nothyng moiſteth ſoner then water. Therefore, a wepyng eye cauſeth muche moiſture, and prouoketh teares.
ref: 1553, “Of Mouyng Pitie”, in Thomas Wilson, transl., The Arte of Rhetorike, for the Use of All sutche as are Studious of Eloquence, […], London: […] Jhon Kyngston, published 1580, →OCLC, page 136:
text: There is other ſome yͭ [that] heateth temperately. And another yͭ cooleth temperatly, and if moiſtneſſe be ioyned therewith, it moiſteth, and with a drie thinge, it drieth.
ref: [1575], Thomas Paynell, transl., Regimen Sanitatis Salerni. […] [Governance of Hygiene of Salerno], London: […] Wyllyam How, for Abraham Veale, →OCLC, folio ciii, verso:
english: Governance of Hygiene of Salerno
translation: Governance of Hygiene of Salerno
text: [S]prinkle a vessel of water, and it moisteth not, but cast it out wholly together, and it both washeth and nourisheth. This notable saying, before this time hath encourage Emperors, animated Kings, and allured Princes, to conquer realmes to them adjoining, to vanquish nations to their dominions adjacent, and to subdue people either necessary for their purpose, or being to them daily enemies and continual adversaries.
ref: 1885, Henry J[ames] Swallow, “Ralph de Nevill, First Earl of Westmoreland”, in De Nova Villa: Or, The House of Nevill in Sunshine and Shade, Newcastle-upon-Tyne: Andrew Reid, […]; London: Griffith, Farran, & Co., […], →OCLC, page 42:
glosses: To have an effect of moistening or wetting.
Derived terms: word: moisted
word: moisting
word: moisting