moist

Etymology 1

The adjective is derived from Middle English moist, moiste (“damp, humid, moist, wet; well-irrigated, well-watered; made up of water or other fluids, fluid; of ale: fresh; (figuratively) carnal, lascivious; undisciplined, weak; (alchemy, medicine, physics) dominated by water as an element”) [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman moist, moiste, moste, Middle French moiste, and Old French moiste, muste (“damp, moist, wet”) (modern French moite); further etymology uncertain, perhaps a blend of a Late Latin variant of Latin mūcidus (“mouldy, musty”) + a Late Latin derivative of Latin mustum (“unfermented or partially fermented grape juice or wine, must”). The noun is derived from the adjective.

adj

1. Characterized by the presence of moisture; not dry; slightly wet; damp.
   After every watering, which need not be above twice or thrice in every Summer, ſo they may be thoroughly wet, be ſure to make up the Hills, wherein holes for the water had been made, with ſome parings, and with the weeds, and cooleſt and moiſteſt Materials that can be got. 1704, Nathan Bailey, “HOP”, in Dictionarium Rusticum & Urbanicum: Or, A Dictionary of All Sorts of Country Affairs, Handicraft, Trading, and Merchandizing.[…], London: […] J. Nicholson,[…], →OCLC, column 1
   Joseph Smith, a diffident, conscientious young man with moist hands and an awkward, absent-minded manner, was head gardener at Wotton Vanborough. 1 November 1937, “Books: Modernist Miracle: The Gardener Who Saw God—Edward James—Scribner ($2.50) [book review]”, in Time, New York, N.Y.: Time Inc., →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2021-11-10
   'The other car didn't explode,' continues Abu Shujaa. 'The explosives were a bit moist. They had been stored in a place that was too humid.[…]' 2011, Dominic Streatfeild, “Stuff Happens”, in A History of the World since 9/11, London: Atlantic Books, page 192
2. Of eyes: wet with tears; tearful; also (obsolete), watery due to some illness or to old age.
   Eyes moist, he Maurice Stans] hugged one of his attorneys and later said: "I feel like I've been reborn." 6 December 1974, “Trials: Mitchell and Stans: Not Guilty”, in Time, New York, N.Y.: Time Inc., →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2021-11-10
3. Of a climate, the weather, etc.: damp, humid, rainy.
   [I]n the year 1752, which we may reckon among ſome of our moiſteſt Summers throughout England, more Rain fell at London than at Plymouth, according to an eſtimate made at both places; […] 1758, William Borlase, “Of the Air, and Weather”, in The Natural History of Cornwall.[…], Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] [F]or the author, by W. Jackson; sold by W. Sandby,[…], →OCLC, page 6
   With its mild, moist climate, Britain is uniquely placed to grow good grass. Through the centuries pastures have produced many of our basic foods including our beef and lamb; our poultry and eggs; our milk[,] butter and cheese. 8 September 2008, Graham Harvey, “Steaks are high”, in Alan Rusbridger, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2021-03-14
4. (informal) Of the vagina: sexually lubricated due to sexual arousal; of a woman: sexually aroused, turned on.
   He slid a finger in me, checking to make sure I was moist and ready for him. 2008, Marcia King-Gamble, chapter 14, in Meet Phoenix (Kimani Romance), New York, N.Y.: Kimani Press, page 168
5. (medicine)
   1. Characterized by the presence of some fluid such as mucus, pus, etc.
   2. Of sounds of internal organs (especially as heard through a stethoscope): characterized by the sound of air bubbling through a fluid.
6. (sciences, historical) Pertaining to one of the four essential qualities formerly believed to be present in all things, characterized by wetness; also, having a significant amount of this quality.
   […] Ergo it behooveth then, that the firſt age, and the firſt ſeaſon of things ſhould beginne in the moiſteſt Signe, which is Aries, and in his head, as the principall of the Members, the Fortreſſe of the Soule, and the Signe of Life. 1621, William of Saluste, Lord of Bartus [i.e., Guillaume de Salluste Du Bartas], “The Fourth Day of the First VVeeke of VVilliam of Salust, Lord of Bartas”, in T. L. D. M. P. [pseudonym; Thomas Lodge], transl., A Learned Summary upon the Famous Poeme of William of Saluste Lord of Bartus.[…], London: […] [George Purslowe] for Iohn Grismand[…], →OCLC, page 169
7. (obsolete)
   1. Fluid, liquid, watery.
   2. (also poetic) Bringing moisture or rain.

noun

1. (obsolete except US, regional) Moistness; also, moisture.

Etymology 2

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.

verb

1. (transitive)
   1. (obsolete except Britain, regional and US) To make (something) moist or wet; to moisten.
      He calleth for a ſponge (ſaith Theodoritus) and therevvith moiſteth and vvaſsheth Simeones mouthe, and then geueth him the holy Sacrament. 30 January 1566, Iohn Iewel [i.e. John Jewel], “M. [Thomas] Hardinge. The 21. Diuision.”, in A Replie unto M. Hardinges Ansvveare:[…], London: […] Henry VVykes, →OCLC
   2. (obsolete, figurative) To inspire, to refresh (someone); also, to soften (one's heart).
2. (intransitive)
   1. (US) To rain lightly; to drizzle.
   2. (obsolete) To have an effect of moistening or wetting.
      Againe, nothyng moiſteth ſoner then water. Therefore, a wepyng eye cauſeth muche moiſture, and prouoketh teares. 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
      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. [1575], Thomas Paynell, transl., Regimen Sanitatis Salerni.[…], London: […] Wyllyam How, for Abraham Veale, →OCLC, folio ciii, verso
      [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. 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