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- From Anglo-Norman muste, moste, variants of moiste, muiste (“moist”), from Old French moiste (“clammy, damp, moist, wet”) (modern French moite (“muggy; sticky, sweaty”)), from a blend of Vulgar Latin *mucidus (from Latin mūcidus (“mouldy, musty”), from Old Latin mūceō (“to be mouldy or musty”) + -idus (suffix meaning ‘tending to’, forming adjectives)) + Latin mustum (“unfermented or partially fermented grape juice, must; new wine”) (from mustus (“fresh; young; unfermented”), from...
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/musty
The earliest known use of the adjective musty is in the Middle English period (1150—1500). OED's earliest evidence for musty is from 1492, in the writing of J. Ryman. musty is of uncertain origin.
Mar 27, 2019 · late 14c., "slightly wet; well-irrigated, characterized by moistness," from Old French moiste "damp, wet, soaked" (13c., Modern French moite), which is of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Vulgar Latin *muscidus "moldy," also "wet," from Latin mucidus "slimy, moldy, musty," from mucus "slime" (see mucus). Alternative etymology [Diez] is from Latin ...
OED's earliest evidence for musty is from 1709, in the writing of Richard Steele, writer and politician. It is also recorded as an adjective from the Middle English period (1150—1500). musty is formed within English, by conversion.
Oct 8, 2024 · musty (comparative mustier, superlative mustiest) Affected by dampness or mould; damp, mildewed, mouldy. Synonym: fusty. [W]hẽ his wordes be wel ſifted, men ſhall find little fine flowre in thẽ, but all very branne, not worthy ſo muche as to fede either horſe or hogges.
Nov 3, 2017 · musty. adjective. /ˈmʌsti/ (comparative mustier, superlative mustiest) smelling wet and unpleasant because of a lack of fresh air synonym dank. a musty room. a musty smell of old books. These clothes smell musty. Extra Examples. Oxford Collocations Dictionary. Word Origin. Definitions on the go.
Musty (adjective) Having a stale, moldy, or damp smell. Lacking originality or vitality; old-fashioned or outdated. Etymology. The term “musty” first recorded in 1520s, is derived from or related to the Middle English word “must,” which refers to the process of fermentation (as in grapes for wine).
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musty in American English. (ˈmʌsti ) adjective Word forms: ˈmustier or ˈmustiest. 1. having a stale, moldy smell or taste, as an unused room, food kept in a damp place, etc. 2. stale or trite; worn-out; antiquated. musty ideas. 3. dull; apathetic. Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
