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What is the difference between moist and dampness?

moist | dampness |

As a adjective moist

is slightly wet; characterised by the presence of moisture, not dry; damp.

As a noun dampness is

moderate humidity; moisture; fogginess; moistness.

moist

English

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • Slightly wet; characterised by the presence of moisture, not dry; damp.
  • * 1937 , "Modernist Miracle", Time , 1 Nov 1937:
  • Joseph Smith, a diffident, conscientious young man with moist hands and an awkward, absent-minded manner, was head gardener at Wotton Vanborough.
  • * 2011 , Dominic Streatfeild, The Guardian , 7 Jan 2011:
  • "The other car didn't explode," continues Shujaa. "The explosives were a bit moist . They had been stored in a place that was too humid."
  • Of eyes: tearful, wet with tears.
  • * 1974 , "Mitchell and Stans: Not Guilty", Time , 6 Dec 1974:
  • Eyes moist , he hugged one of his attorneys and later said: "I feel like I've been reborn."
  • Of weather, climate etc.: rainy, damp.
  • * 2008 , Graham Harvey, The Guardian , 8 Sep 2008:
  • With its mild, moist climate, Britain is uniquely placed to grow good grass.
  • *:
  • Pituita'', or phlegm, is a cold and moist humour, begotten of the colder parts of the ''chylus  […].
  • (obsolete) Watery, liquid, fluid.
  • * 1658 , Sir Thomas Browne, Hydriotaphia :
  • Some being of the opinion of Thales, that water was the originall of all things, thought it most equall to submit unto the principle of putrefaction, and conclude in a moist relentment.
  • (medicine) Characterised by the presence of pus, mucus etc.
  • (colloquial) Sexually lubricated (of the vagina); sexually aroused, turned on (of a woman).
  • * 2008 , Marcia King-Gamble, Meet Phoenix , p. 168:
  • He slid a finger in me, checking to make sure I was moist and ready for him.

    Synonyms

    * dank * damp *

    Anagrams

    *

    dampness

    English

    Noun

    (-)
  • Moderate humidity; moisture; fogginess; moistness.
  • Degree to which something is damp or moist
  • The dampness in the writing paper caused the ink to spread and smudge.