humectation

plural humectations

1. countableuncountablerare outside technical usageA moistening; the act of making something moist or of something becoming moist.

   Thereafter, humectation of soil was recorded in the autumn, following rains.

   2005, M. Ghrab, K. Gargouri, M. Ayadi, H. Bentaher, “Water saving in olive orchids: root-zone drying strategy”, in A. Bari, editor, Assessment of Plant Genetic Resources for Water-use Efficiency, Bioversity International, →ISBN, page 36

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   The cure of such an effect must be performed by two means, that is, evacuation and cooling with humectation.

   1649, Ambrose Parey, Thomas Johnson (trans.), The Workes of that Famous Chirurgion Ambrose Parey, page 55, London: Richard Cotes and Willi Du-gard OCLC 13170477

   That which is concreted by exsiccation or expression of humidity, will be resolved by humectification, as earth, dirt and clay.

   1658, Sir Thomas Brown, Pseudodoxia Epidemica, London: Edward Dod OCLC 216753971

   It hath been observed by the ancients, that plates of metal, and especially of brass, applied presently to a blow, will keep it down from swelling. The cause is repercussion, without humectiation, or entrance of any body.

   1730, Francis Bacon, The Works of Francis Bacon, volume 3, page 180, London: Impensis R. OCLC 13621903

   Emollients are useful in spa services because of their three main properties: occlusion, lubrication, and humectation.

   2009, Steve Capellini, The Complete Spa Book for Massage Therapists, Cengage Learning, →ISBN

   Substitutive treatment (artificial tears) is the most useful medication. It tries to recover for a short time the humectation, osmolarity and lubrication of the ocular surface, although the etiologic causes persist.

   2011, Samuel Boyd, Angela Maria Gutierrez, James P. McCulley, Atlas and Text of Corneal Pathology and Surgery, Jaypee Brothers, →ISBN