mouth-wateringn.
/ˈmaʊθˌwɔːt(ə)rɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈmaʊθˌwɔdərɪŋ/, /ˈmaʊθˌwɑdərɪŋ/ rare.
The flowing of saliva into the mouth; (figurative) appetite, desire; an instance of this. Cf. to make a person's mouth water at mouth n. Phrases 2b, water v. 7.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > secretory organs > action or process of secreting > secreting spec. > [noun] > secretion of saliva > flowing of saliva in mouth
watering1590
mouth-watering1664
teeth-watering1879
1664 J. Wilson Cheats iii. v. 44 Rouze up your selves, and let this beget in you (as it were)—Hum—Haw—new-spiritual-mouth-waterings.
1822 J. M. Good Study Med. I. 74 Mouth-watering. Produced by the sight, smell, or thought of agreeable food.
1983 L. A. Murray People's Otherworld 24 The face we saw near the sportswear shop today In which mouth-watering and tears couldn't be distinguished.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
mouth-wateringadj.
/ˈmaʊθˌwɔːt(ə)rɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈmaʊθˌwɔdərɪŋ/, /ˈmaʊθˌwɑdərɪŋ/ 1. Experiencing a flow of saliva into the mouth. Cf. water v. 7a. Now rare. Perhaps Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > secretory organs > action or process of secreting > secreting spec. > [adjective] > secreting saliva > flowing in mouth
watery1624
watering1630
mouth-watering1779
1779 H. Downman Lucius Junius Brutus v. iv. 124 Conscientious, babbling, sniveling, Mouth-watering knaves, who envy every man The dainty morsel they can't eat themselves.
1845 R. Ford Hand-bk. Travellers in Spain I. i. 67 The mouth-watering bystanders sigh, as they see and smell the rich freight steaming away from them.
1889 G. Massey My Lyrical Life II. 399 You mob his gates, you wag the tail, and stand, Lickspittles..Mouth-watering with the slaver of the slave!
2. That causes a flow of saliva into the mouth, appetizing; (figurative) desirable, highly attractive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > taste and flavour > savouriness > [adjective]
likingeOE
goodOE
lickerousc1275
deliciousa1325
daintya1382
dainteousc1386
daintiful1393
delicatea1398
merrya1398
savourlyc1400
liciousc1420
savourousa1425
daintethc1430
lustyc1430
feelsomea1450
nuttya1450
seasonablea1475
delicativec1475
unctuous1495
well-tasteda1500
daintive1526
savoury1533
exquisite1561
spicy1562
well-relished?1575
finger-licking1584
toothsome1584
taste-pleasinga1586
daint1590
relishsome1593
lickerish1595
tastesome1598
friand1599
tooth-tempting1603
relishing1605
well-relishing1608
neat1609
hungry1611
palate-pleasing1611
tasteful1611
palatea1617
tastya1617
palatable1619
toothful1622
sipid1623
unsoured1626
famelic1631
tasteablea1641
piquant1645
sapid1646
saporousa1670
slape1671
palativea1682
flavorous1697
nice1709
well-flavoured1717
gusty1721
flavoury1727
fine-palated1735
unrepulsive1787
degustatory1824
zesty1826
peckish1845
mouth-watering1847
flavoursome1853
unreasty1853
unrancida1855
relishy1864
toothy1864
flavoured1867
tasty-looking1867
hungrifying1886
velvety1888
snappy1892
zippy1911
savoursome1922
delish1953
the world > food and drink > food > qualities of food > [adjective] > promoting appetite
tooth-tempting1603
piquant1645
appetizing1653
moreish1691
peckish1845
mouth-watering1847
appetitive1864
tasty-looking1867
hungrifying1886
zippy1911
the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > [adjective] > honeyed, mellifluous, or luscious
honeyfula1400
honeyed1435
mellifluous?a1475
sugarc1530
sweetful1589
sugary1591
honeysome1593
sweet-seasoned1609
sugar-candied1623
creamya1640
luscious1651
saccharine1841
mouth-watering1847
sugar-candyish1852
goluptious1856
yummy1899
the world > life > the body > secretory organs > action or process of secreting > secreting spec. > [adjective] > secreting saliva > flowing in mouth > producing
salivating1658
salivative1658
salivant1846
mouth-watering1847
sialagogue1855
sialagogic1891
1847 Southern & Western Literary Messenger & Rev. 13 369/1 He talks in an unctious mouth-watering way of British oysters and Falernian wine.
1900 Speakers 3 Jan. 338/2 The White Star shareholders have made a most mouth-watering bargain.
1960 Guardian 7 Oct. 12/5 A mouth-watering bowl of fruit.
1973 Country Life 29 Nov. 1796/2 Mouthwatering grills—fish, meat, vegetables.
1986 Photography Nov. 30/1 The rarities include some extremely mouthwatering Kodachrome seascapes.
Derivatives
ˈmouth-ˌwateringly adv.
ΚΠ
1976 Wymondham & Attleborough Express 10 Dec. 1/2 Chickens in plenty mouth-wateringly roamed around a spacious run.
1983 Listener 13 Jan. 35/1 Most holiday programmes..look mouth-wateringly attractive.
1997 BBC Vegetarian Good Food Apr. 33/3 The contrast of textures between the chocolate, the sponge and the soft cheese and glacé fruit filling is mouth-wateringly memorable.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1664adj.1779