I. ˈmȯist adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English moiste, from Middle French, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin muscidus, alteration (probably influenced by Latin musteus resembling new wine, from mustum new wine) of Latin mucidus slimy — more at must , mucid
1.
a. obsolete : consisting of water : liquid
tears, the moist impediments unto my speech — Shakespeare
b. obsolete : characterized by succulence : lush , juicy
these moist trees — Shakespeare
eat moist grapes — Num 6: 3 (Authorized Version)
c. : naturally or constitutionally wet — used in ancient and medieval sciences to describe one of the qualities of the four elements; opposed to dry
d. of a sign of the zodiac : having a moist complexion
e. obsolete : containing or bringing moisture
the vapors of a moist pot … soar up into the open air — Return from Parnassus: Part II
the moist daughters of huge Atlas — Edmund Spenser
2.
a. : full of tears : watery
the eyes of both of us … were moist with the joy of success — Jack London
b.
(1) : slightly or moderately wet : damp
the gravel paths were moist … with dew — Ernest Hemingway
(2) : saturated with moisture : humid , soggy
air which was still warmer and more moist moved in — G.R.Stewart
the lush, moist , rice and cotton lands — American Guide Series: Texas
c. : characterized by humidity and frequent precipitation
jungles thrive in warm moist regions
3. : employing or accompanied by moisture: as
a.
(1) : accompanied by tears : tearful
the urgent moist look in his eyes — Ethel Wilson
(2) : emotionally sentimental : maudlin
emotionally very moist about nationalism — A.F.Rolle
b. : utilizing a washing process
copper, zinc, and silver … extracted in the moist way — William Crookes
c.
(1) : marked by a discharge or exudation of liquid
moist eczema
(2) : suggestive of the presence of liquid — used of sounds heard in auscultation
moist rales
Synonyms: see wet
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English moiste, from moiste, adjective
obsolete : moisture
myrtles and bays for want of moist grew wan — Josuah Sylvester
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English moisten, from moiste, adjective
obsolete : moisten
no more the juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip — Shakespeare