moisture
UK: ˈmɔɪstʃə | US: ˈmɔɪstʃər
n. small amounts of liquid in the air, on a surface, or within a substance
n. the quality or state of being slightly wet
moisture = moist<damp> + ure<noun suffix>
- moist: From Old French moiste ("damp, moldy"), likely derived from Latin musteus ("fresh, juicy"), related to mustum ("new wine"). Originally described liquids or freshness, later narrowed to "slightly wet."
- ure: A noun-forming suffix from Latin -ura, indicating a state or condition (e.g., pressure, closure).
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin mustum (unfermented wine), reflecting a link between liquid freshness and dampness. Old French softened it to moiste, and English added -ure to abstract the state of being damp. The evolution captures how "wine juice" (Latin) → "dampness" (Old French) → "subtle wetness" (Modern English).
The moisture in the air made the walls feel clammy.
Plants absorb moisture through their roots.
Her skin lacked moisture after hours in the sun.
The desert’s rare moisture comes from overnight dew.
Seal the container to lock in the food’s moisture.