English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

be- +‎ moisten

Pronunciation edit

Verb edit

bemoisten (third-person singular simple present bemoistens, present participle bemoistening or (archaic or poetic) bemoist'ning, simple past and past participle bemoistened or (archaic or poetic) bemoisten'd)

  1. (transitive) Make moist.
  2. (intransitive, rare) Become moist.

Derived terms edit

References edit

  • Bemoisten, v.” listed on page 794 of volume I (A–B) of A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles [1st ed., 1885]
      Bemoisten (bĭmoi·s’n), v. [f. Be- pref. 1, 2 + Moisten v.] Hence Bemoi·stened ppl. a. [¶] 1.trans. To make moist. [¶] 1590 Lodge Euphues’ Gold. Leg. in Halliw. Shaks. VI. 20 First time shall stay his staylesse race..And snow bemoysten Julies face. 1820 Combe (Dr. Syntax) Consol. vi. (D.) Wiping her bemoisten’d eye. [¶] 2.intr. To become moist. rare. [¶] 1821 Clare Vill. Minstr. I. 57 With tears the while bemoist’ning in his eye.
  • bemoisten, v.” listed in the Oxford English Dictionary [2nd ed., 1989]