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wetting

wetting

1 1.4
The act of making a surface wet
  • noun
  • /ˈwɛtɪŋ/
translation icon : humedecimiento
  • It is a nonionic surfactant with excellent wetting characteristics.
  • wetting agent

Examples

  • I start by clearing my skin, taking a washcloth and wetting a corner and wetting my face.

  • I would suggest wetting your brush first.

  • To avoid this, it helps to coat the pressure plate with a wetting agent using a piece of cotton.

    Academic text (1995)
  • More food was lost due to repeated wetting in the boats.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Farmers spray it in a mix with water and a wetting agent.

    Academic text (1997)
  • We're prepping the wetting agents on that to start the process.

  • Before painting, I recommend wetting the canvas to help the colors blend better.

  • The wetting of the soil is crucial for ensuring a healthy garden during dry spells.

  • With the wetting of the paper, the ink flows smoothly and creates beautiful designs.

Synonyms

dampening
vswetting
14 3.2

Making something a little wet

covers adding liquid in any quantity rather than only a light covering
soaking
vswetting
9 2.7

An act of making something completely wet by putting it in water

can mean any amount of liquid, not only full immersion
dousing
vswetting
3 4.9

Putting a lot of water on something so it becomes very wet

also covers milder or slower liquid application, not only rapid submersion
drenching
vswetting
1 3.3

A heavy soaking that makes a person or thing completely wet

includes lighter or partial liquid covering, not only thorough saturation
watering
vswetting
1 1.0

Giving water to plants or the ground to help them grow

is used for any object and any liquid, not only plants or soil
moistening
vswetting
1 2.3

A small act of making something slightly wet before use

involves applying liquid in any amount rather than only a light amount

Antonyms

1 3.2

A process in which water leaves something until it is no longer wet

Compounds

4 3.2

Peeing while you sleep that often happens in children who usually grow out of it

wetting agent
  • Specialized
5.5

A chemical that helps a liquid spread or soak in more easily

How Wet

soaking
9 2.7
wetting
1 1.4
moistening
1 2.3

Surface Forms

wetting singular
wettigns plural

Morphology

wetting = wet (transparent) = wet + ing

A straightforward gerund/nominalization of the verb 'wet' meaning 'the act of making something wet'.

Etymology

Wetting comes from the verb wet ('to make something wet') plus the action ending -ing, so it names the act of making something wet. That's why we talk about rain wetting clothes or the wetting of soil before planting.