humectant

hu·mec·tant

 (hyo͞o-mĕk′tənt)

n.

A substance that promotes retention of moisture.

adj.

Promoting retention of moisture.

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[From Latin hūmectāns, hūmectānt-, present participle of hūmectāre, to moisten, from hūmectus, moist, from hūmēre, to be moist.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

humectant

(hjuːˈmɛktənt)

adj

(Chemistry) producing moisture

n

(Chemistry) a substance added to another substance to keep it moist

[C17: from Latin ūmectāre to wet, from ūmēre to be moist, from ūmor moisture; see humour]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

hu•mec•tant

(hyuˈmɛk tənt; often yu-)

n.

1. a substance that absorbs or helps another substance retain moisture, as glycerol.

adj.

2. moistening; diluting.

[1650–60; < Latin hūmectant-, s. of (h)ūmectāns, present participle of (h)ūmectāre to moisten, derivative of (h)ūmectus moist, damp]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

humectant - any substance that is added to another substance to keep it moist substance - a particular kind or species of matter with uniform properties; "shigella is one of the most toxic substances known to man" propanediol, propylene glycol - a sweet colorless, viscous, hygroscopic liquid used as an antifreeze and in brake fluid and also as a humectant in cosmetics and personal care items although it can be absorbed through the skin with harmful effects

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