moisteningn.
/ˈmɔɪsnɪŋ/, /ˈmɔɪsn̩ɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈmɔɪs(ə)nɪŋ/ The action of becoming moist, or of adding moisture to something; an instance of this.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > condition of being or making wet > [noun] > action or process
wettinga1340
moistinga1398
wateringa1398
humectation1544
moistening1559
madefaction1583
irrigationa1618
aquation1623
1559 P. Morwyng tr. C. Gesner Treasure of Euonymus 67 We shall name it wyth a more apte word, maceration, yt is sleping or weking, or els infusion, a watring & moistening.
1582 S. Batman Vppon Bartholome, De Proprietatibus Rerum 359 For so great is the necessitye of Water, that without it,..no hearbe, nor Plant, without the moystening of water, can burgen or bud forth.
1611 Bible (King James) Prov. iii. 8 It shalbe health to thy nauill, and marrow [margin Hebr. watring, or moystning] to thy bones. View more context for this quotation
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Mouillement, a wetting, or moistening.
1627 G. Hakewill Apologie i. v. 52 It pleased God to open the windowes of Heauen for the moistning and nourishing of their seedes.
1727 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. II Madification, a moistening or wetting.
1854 E. Ronalds & T. Richardson Knapp's Chem. Technol. (ed. 2) I. 321 A moderate moistening of small coal has..the advantage of preventing its falling through the grate-bars and creating dust.
1896 Chambers's Jrnl. 13 22/2 The temperer requires a supply of water for the sufficient moistening of the clay.
1980 A. E. I. Falconar Gardens of Medit. (BNC) 11 In its weakest form it can be a moistening of the eyes on hearing a moving poem or line of music.
2000 Toronto Star (Electronic ed.) 14 June Only a flick of the tongue, a moistening of his lips earlier in Gravely's address hinting at the anxiety he felt.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2002; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
moisteningadj.
/ˈmɔɪsnɪŋ/, /ˈmɔɪsn̩ɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈmɔɪs(ə)nɪŋ/ That moistens something; that provides moisture. Also (occasionally): that acquires moisture, that becomes moist. Also in extended use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > condition of being or making wet > [adjective] > wetting
moistinga1382
moistening1580
watering1581
madefying1646
humectant1659
wetting1661
irrigating1669
irriguous1684
humectating1738
1580 Sir P. Sidney tr. Psalmes David xxii. ix My moistning strength is like a pottsheard dried.
1598 A. M. tr. J. Guillemeau Frenche Chirurg. 10 b/1 With moysteninge medicamentes must it be cured and helped.
1618 B. Holyday Technogamia iii. vi Let now a deepe And moystning sleepe His watch here keepe.
1646 T. Philipot Poems 21 Æsons Storie..must now wither, and dispight of all His powerfull baths, and moistening juices, shall Grow wrinkled o're with age.
1683 W. Salmon Doron Medicum i. 51 Moistning medicines.
1700 J. Dryden tr. G. Boccaccio Sigismonda & Guiscardo in Fables 142 When the World began, One common Mass compos'd the Mould of Man; One Paste of Flesh on all Degrees bestow'd, And kneaded up alike with moistning Blood.
1783 J. Hoole tr. L. Ariosto Orlando Furioso III. xxii. 88 E'er his lips essay'd The moistening liquid.
1847 R. Montgomery Sacred Medit. (ed. 3) 166 On his cheek her moistening tear-drop fell.
1880 M. E. Braddon Just as I Am iv ‘God bless you, Sir Everard’, said Vargas, with moistening eyes.
1906 A. Austin Door of Humility 96 April..upon garth and croft Re-sheds warm smiles and moistening showers.
1947 V. Watkins Ballad of Mari Lwyd (ed. 2) 39 Love's moistening seal is mastered there entire.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2002; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1559adj.1580