moist

moist
\ \ [14] Latin mūcidus meant ‘mouldy’ and ‘snivelling’ (it was a derivative of mūcus, source of English mucus). In Vulgar Latin it became altered to *muscidus, which is thought to have branched out in meaning to ‘wet’, and passed in this sense into Old French as moiste – whence English moist.
\ \ From the 15th to the 17th centuries the derived adjective moistydamp’ existed (it was revived in the 19th century). Musty [16] is thought to have originated as an alteration of it, perhaps under the influence of mustgrape juice’.
\ \ Cf.MUCUS, MUSTY

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • moist — moist; moist·en; moist·en·er; moist·ful; moist·i·fy; moist·ish; moist·less; moist·ly; moist·ness; semi·moist; un·moist; …   English syllables

  • Moist — describes the presence of moisture. It may also refer to: In music: Moist (Canadian band), a five piece Canadian alternative rock band that was popular in the mid to late 1990s Moist (folk rock band), a band based in Brighton, England, which… …   Wikipedia

  • moist — [ mɔıst ] adjective 1. ) slightly wet: These plants do best in fertile, moist soil. moist apple cake warm, moist air Her skin felt moist. a ) used about eyes that are slightly wet with tears: Her eyes were red and moist. 2. ) used about a region… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Moist — Moist, a. [OE. moiste, OF. moiste, F. moite, fr. L. muccidus, for mucidus, moldy, musty. Cf. {Mucus}, {Mucid}.] 1. Moderately wet; damp; humid; not dry; as, a moist atmosphere or air. Moist eyes. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. Fresh, or new. [Obs.]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • moist — [mɔıst] adj [Date: 1300 1400; : Old French; Origin: moiste, from Latin mucidus wet and slippery , from mucus; MUCUS] slightly wet, especially in a way that is pleasant or suitable ▪ Make sure the soil is moist before planting the seeds. ▪ a rich …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • moist´en|er — moist|en «MOY suhn», transitive verb. to make moist; dampen: »Moisten the flap of the envelope to seal it. –v.i. to become moist: »Her eyes moistened with tears. –moist´en|er, noun …   Useful english dictionary

  • moist|en — «MOY suhn», transitive verb. to make moist; dampen: »Moisten the flap of the envelope to seal it. –v.i. to become moist: »Her eyes moistened with tears. –moist´en|er, noun …   Useful english dictionary

  • moist|y — «MOYS tee», adjective. moist|i|er, moist|i|est. moist; damp …   Useful english dictionary

  • moist — mȯist adj 1) slightly or moderately wet 2 a) marked by a discharge or exudation of liquid <moist eczema> b) suggestive of the presence of liquid used of sounds heard in auscultation <moist rales> …   Medical dictionary

  • moist — [moist] adj. [OFr moiste < VL * muscidus, altered (prob. infl. by L musteus, of new wine, fresh < mustum,MUST3) < L mucidus, moldy < mucus,MUCUS] 1. slightly wet; damp 2. suggestive of the presence of liquid [a moist sound] 3. tearful …   English World dictionary

  • Moist — Moist, v. t. To moisten. [Obs.] Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”