German edit

Etymology edit

From Middle High German benetzen, from Old High German binezzen, derived from nezzen, from Proto-Germanic *natjaną, from *nataz (wet), whence German nass. Equivalent to be- +‎ netzen, which simplex is highly archaic. The relation with nass is typically not recognised by contemporary speakers, who may in fact associate it with Netz (net), as if meaning “to coat with a film of liquid as with a net”.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /bəˈnɛt͡sən/
  • (file)

Verb edit

benetzen (weak, third-person singular present benetzt, past tense benetzte, past participle benetzt, auxiliary haben)

  1. (formal, literary) to moisten; to wet (a surface)
    Synonym: befeuchten

Conjugation edit

Related terms edit

Further reading edit

  • benetzen” in Duden online
  • benetzen” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache