I. Act., to moisten, wet (poet. and in post-Aug. prose): “quā niger umectat flaventia culta Galaesus,” waters, Verg. G. 4, 126: “et sacer umectat fluvialia rura Capenas,” Sil. 13, 85: “statque umectata Vomano Adria,” id. 8, 439: “terras veneno,” id. 3, 210: “effigiem,” id. 5, 5: “et lacrimis salsis umectent ora genasque,” Lucr. 1, 919; Verg. A. 1, 465; 11, 90; Ov. M. 9, 655: “dum meus umectat flaventes Lucifer agros (rore),” bedews, Claud. Rapt. Pros. 2, 121: “ejus (agni) os pressis umectare papillis,” Col. 7, 3, 17.—Poet.: “(mulier) tenet assuetis umectans oscula labris,” Lucr. 4, 1190.—
II. Neutr., of the eyes, to be moist, tearful, to weep: “ardent (oculi), intenduntur, umectant, conivent,” Plin. 11, 37, 54, § 145; 10, 3, 3, § 10.
