Library / English Dictionary

MOISTEN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make moist

Example:

The dew moistened the meadows

Synonyms:

dampen; moisten; wash

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "moisten" is one way to...):

wet (cause to become wet)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "moisten"):

humidify; moisturise; moisturize (make (more) humid)

baste (cover with liquid before cooking)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

moistener (a device that dampens or moistens something)

moistening (the act of making something slightly wet)

moisture (wetness caused by water)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Moisten with fine drops

Example:

drizzle the meat with melted butter

Synonyms:

drizzle; moisten

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "moisten" is one way to...):

splash; splosh; sprinkle (cause (a liquid) to spatter about, especially with force)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP

Derivation:

moistening (the act of making something slightly wet)

Credits

 Context examples: 

A more cheery and hearty set of people could not be imagined, and the chaff flew about as thick as the dust clouds, while at every wayside inn the landlord and the drawers would be out with trays of foam-headed tankards to moisten those importunate throats.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

My lips seemed suddenly dry and I moistened them against the need of speech.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

"Go on," said Harker hoarsely; so he bowed his head and moistening his lips with his tongue, added: "except that the poor fellow is dead."

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

It was the simplest thing in the world for him to take a wax impression from the seal, to moisten it in as much blood as he could get from a pin-prick, and to put the mark upon the wall during the night, either with his own hand or with that of his housekeeper.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

His voice was weaker, so I moistened his lips with the brandy again, and he continued; but it seemed as though his memory had gone on working in the interval for his story was further advanced.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)