Advertisement

Origin and history of humid

humid(adj.)

"moist or accompanied with moisture; containing, or formed or effected by, water or vapor; wet, damp," early 15c., from Old French humide, umide "damp, wet" (15c.) or directly from Latin humidus "moist, wet," variant (probably by influence of humus "earth") of umidus, from umere "be moist, be wet," from Proto-Italic *umo- "wet" (also source of Latin umidus "wet, moist," umiditas "moisture," umor "moisture, fluid," umectus "moist, wet"), perhaps from PIE *uhrmo- "wet," from the same source as Latin urina [de Vaan].

Entries linking to humid

1822, "a diluent, diluting agent, inert substance used to render another less concentrated," from Medieval Latin humectantem, present participle of humectare or umectare, "to moisten; to irrigate; to flood." Compare humid. The meaning "moisture-retaining object or substance" is attested by 1851, probably from French humectant, ultimately from the Latin word. As an adjective, "wet," by 1650s.

"to make humid," 1884 (implied in humidifying); see humid + -fy. Related: Humidified; humidification. Earlier was humify (1650s).

Advertisement

More to explore

Share humid

Advertisement
Trending
Advertisement