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moist

adj.
US //ˈmɔɪst// UK //mˈɔɪst// moist
  1. 1 slightly wet (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    slightly wet or damp, often in a pleasant way.

    characterized by a slight degree of liquid or moisture; not dry.

    Example

    The cake was delicious and moist because she added extra yogurt to the mix.

    Example

    The gardener ensured the soil remained moist but not waterlogged, providing the ideal environment for the delicate seedlings to take root.
    Pitfall
    The weather today is very moist.
    The weather today is very humid.

    Use 'moist' for surfaces or food; use 'humid' for the air or weather.

  2. 2 tearful eyes (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

    when your eyes are wet with tears.

    pertaining to eyes that are damp or glistening with tears, often due to strong emotion.

    Example

    Her eyes were moist as she said goodbye to her old friends at the airport.

    Example

    He spoke with a trembling voice, his moist eyes betraying the deep sense of loss he felt during the memorial service.
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  1. 3 medical fluid (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

    containing or producing a fluid like mucus or pus.

    characterized by the presence or production of fluid, such as mucus or phlegm, often used to describe a cough or a wound.

    Example

    The doctor asked if he had a dry cough or a moist one.

    Example

    The nurse noted that the wound remained moist, indicating that the healing process was progressing without the formation of a hard crust.

    Usage

    In a medical context, a 'moist cough' is often called a 'productive cough'.
Etymology 1

The adjective is derived from Middle English moist, moiste [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman moist, moiste, moste, Middle French moiste, and Old French moiste, muste (“damp, moist, wet”) (modern French moite); further etymology uncertain, perhaps a blend of a Late Latin variant of Latin mūcidus (“mouldy, musty”) + a Late Latin derivative of Latin mustum (“unfermented or partially fermented grape juice or wine, must”). The noun is derived from the adjective.

Etymology 2

From Middle English moisten, moist, moiste (“to make moist or wet; to soak in liquid; to become moist or wet; to provide with moisture or water; to satisfy thirst with liquor or water, slake”) [and other forms], and then either: * from Anglo-Norman muster (“to make moist or wet”), Middle French moistir, and Old French moistir (“to make moist or wet; to become moist or wet”) (compare enmoistir; modern French moitir), from Old French moiste, muste (“damp, moist, wet”) (see etymology 1) + -ir (suffix forming infinitives of second conjugation verbs); or * from Middle English moist, moiste (adjective) (see etymology 1), though the adjective is first attested later.

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