humidify
UK[hjuːˈmɪdɪfaɪ]US[hjuːˈmɪdɪfaɪ]
v
to add moisture to the air in a room or other space.
v
to make something slightly wet.
Morpheme Breakdown
humid
ify
humid
moist
ify
to make
Etymology
the word 'humidify' is a modern english formation, directly constructed from classical elements. its core, 'humid', originates from the latin adjective umidus (moist, damp), itself derived from the verb umēre (to be moist). the suffix '-ify' is a productive english verb-forming element, entering the language via old french from the latin verbal suffix -ificāre, a compound of -ficus (making) and the verb facere (to do or make). therefore, the literal construction 'to make moist' perfectly captures the modern technical and general meaning of adding moisture to air or an object. this transparent morphological structure exemplifies how english readily creates new, precise verbs by combining a descriptive latin root with this causative suffix.
Analysis
Structure: humid (moist) + ify (to make)
humid (from latin humiditas, meaning 'moisture, wetness', functioning as the core adjective root) + ify (from latin -ificare, a verb-forming suffix meaning 'to make, to cause to become')
Examples
a humidifier is a device used to humidify dry indoor air.
plants can help naturally humidify the atmosphere in your home.
the process is designed to humidify the gas stream before it enters the reactor.