German

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Etymology

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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

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  • IPA(key): /bəˈnɛt͡sən/
  • Audio:(file)

Verb

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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

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Further reading

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