moisture
/ˈmɔɪstʃər/
noun
Origin
Latin
musteus — new, fresh, or sweet
Overview
Meaning Now
- The presence of a liquid, especially water, in a small amount, or within a substance or in the atmosphere.
- The state of being slightly wet; dampness.
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
moisture
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The term entered Middle English from Old French 'moiste', which ultimately traces back to the Latin 'musteus' referring to the freshness or 'must' (grape juice) of wine. The transition in meaning from 'new/fresh' to 'damp/wet' occurred as the term was adopted into various Romance languages.
Evolution
- Latin
mustum
“new wine, grape juice”
- Old French
moiste
“damp, fresh”
- Middle English
moisture
“dampness”
Connections
Word parts
moist
root
damp, wet
-ure
suffix
forming nouns of condition or process
Related across languages
French
moite
damp
Italian
mosto
must (grape juice)
Explore next
Related to moisture
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.