humectantadj.n.
/hjuːˈmɛktənt/ A. adj.
1. ? Obsolete. Moistening, wetting.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > condition of being or making wet > [adjective] > wetting
moistinga1382
moistening1580
watering1581
madefying1646
humectant1659
wetting1661
irrigating1669
irriguous1684
humectating1738
1659 H. More Immortality of Soul iii. iv. 370 Which Fumes, if they be grosser and humectant, may raise [etc.].
2. Moisture-retaining.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > moisture or humidity > [adjective] > moisture-retaining
retentive1744
humectant1953
1953 Manuf. Chemist May 202/2 The humectant action is provided by a combination of glycerin and propylene glycol.
1960 McGraw-Hill Encycl. Sci. & Technol. VI. 221/1 Because of its humectant properties, it is sprayed on tobacco before it is processed to prevent crumbling.
B. n.
1. Medicine. A diluent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines for specific purpose > medicine to draw, disperse, etc., matter or humours > [noun] > medicine increasing fluid
diluter1718
diluent1721
humectant1822
humective1828
1822 J. M. Good Study Med. II. 45 Those medicines..supposed capable of dissolving that tenacity..denominated Diluents, Humectants, and Attenuants.
2. A substance used to reduce the loss of moisture; spec. a food additive that does this.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > moisture or humidity > [noun] > substance used to reduce loss of moisture
humectant1867
the world > food and drink > food > additive > [noun] > that reduces moisture loss
humectant1951
1867 F. J. S. Gorgas Harris's Dict. Med. Terminol., Dental Surg., & Collateral Sci. (ed. 3) 337/2 Humectant... In surgery, the substance for retaining moisture in a water dressing.
1951 M. B. Jacobs Chem. & Technol. Food & Food Products (ed. 2) III. xxxvii. 1979 Substances which retain moisture are known as humectants. They..prevent loss of moisture when incorporated into the foodstuff.
1954 Chem. & Engin. News 15 Feb. 685/2 The product can be used as..a humectant for cellulose and paper products, polishes, and tobacco.
1963 Residue Rev. II. 54 Some humectants have been used experimentally to reduce evaporation under conditions of low humidity... Rain can, of course, wash the chemical from the leaf surface.
1972 Sci. Amer. Mar. 19/3 Humectants, which are hygroscopic, offset changes in the humidity of the environment to which food is exposed.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
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adj.n.1659