moistened, ppl. a.
(ˈmɔɪs(ə)nd)
Also 6 moistned.
[f. moisten v. + -ed1.]
1. Rendered moist.
moistened chicken (nonce-phrase), a literal rendering of F. poule mouillée, applied to a person excessively afraid of incurring any discomfort.
| 1580 Sidney Ps. vi. v, My moistned bed proofes of my sorrow showeth: My bed..With my teares floweth. 1591 Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, i. i. 49 When at their Mothers moistned eyes, Babes shall suck, Our Ile be made a Nourish of salt Teares. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 652 The Southern Air And dropping Heav'ns the moisten'd Earth repair. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones xiii. i, All those strong energies of a good mind, which fill the moistened eyes with tears. 1825 Greenhouse Comp. I. 247 Any dirt or dust [should be] carefully wiped off with a moistened sponge. 1859 Thackeray Virgin. II. xvii. 139 The story about the French is, that their governor, the Duke of Aiguillon, was rather what you call a moistened chicken. 1860 Tyndall Glac. ii. xxiii. 351 When two pieces of ice, with moistened surfaces, were placed in contact, they became cemented together. 1902 Daily Chron. 8 Jan. 5/1 A moistened finger..may be recommended in an emergency. |
† 2. Softened, made tender. (Cf. moisten v. 1 c.)
| 1582 T. Watson Centurie of Loue xxi. Poems (Arb.) 57 Theire beames drawe forth by great attractiue power My moistned hart. |