3 entries under this word
a. [compar. WETTER; superl. WETTEST.] [A-S. wæt, weáht, O. Fries. wet, weit, weith, Icel. vátr, vötr, Sw. våt, Dan. vaad, allied to Goth. vato, Icel. & Sw. vatn, water.]
Syn.—Nasty; humid; damp; moist. See NASTY.
n. [A-S. wæt, wæta, wæte, Icel. & Sw. väta, Dan. väde.] 1. Water or wetness; moisture or humidity in considerable degree. Now the sun, with more effectual beams, Had cheered the face of earth, and dried the wet From drooping plant. Milton. 2. Rainy weather; foggy or misty weather.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. WET (rarely WETTED); p. pr. & vb. n. WETTING.] [A-S. wætan, gewætan, Icel. & Sw. vǣta, Dan. væde.] To fill or moisten with water or other liquid; to sprinkle or humectate; to cause to have water or other fluid adherent to the surface; to dip or soak in liquor; as, to wet a sponge; to wet the hands; to wet cloth.
Ye mists and exhalations that now rise . . . Whether to deck with clouds the uncolored sky, Or wet the thirsty earth with falling showers. Milton.
To wet one's whistle, to take a drink; to drink. [Colloq.]
Let us drink the other cup to wet our whistles, and to sing away all sad thoughts. Walton.
Ah! it is long since this bottle of old wine was brought into contact with the mellow breath of night, you may depend, and rare, good stuff it is to wet a bugler's whistle with. Dickens.