mist

Everyday

1. Lots of tiny drops of water in the air close to the ground, making it hard to see far; a thin kind of fog. tree →
2. A fine spray of liquid. tree →
3. (verb) To cover something with tiny drops: «the mirror misted up». tree →
4. (verb) If your eyes mist, tears come. tree →
5. A feeling of confusion or dizziness, as if your thoughts are clouded. tree →

In the lessons

In science, mist forms when warm, damp air cools and water vapour condenses into tiny droplets. In safety, mist on roads or hills makes it hard to see; walkers and drivers must slow down. In stories, mist makes places mysterious. Phrases: «morning mist», «mist up», «a mist of rain».

Examples

• The hills were covered in mist. tree →
• The bathroom mirror misted up after my shower. tree →
• Drive slowly in thick mist. tree →
• The morning mist cleared when the sun came out. tree →
• Mum sprays a fine mist of water on the plants. tree →
• Her eyes misted with tears. tree →
• As he looked a mist came over his senses. tree →

Note

Mist is thinner than fog: in mist you can see further. Homophone: «missed» (past of «miss») — «I missed the bus in the mist.»

In Jewish tradition

In the Creation story a mist goes up from the earth and waters the ground before there is rain or man.

Interpretation. The rabbis said the mist was a sign of the rain that would come, and that the ground was watered when man prayed.

Examples

• but there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. (Torah GEN.2.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Mist is thinner than fog: in mist you can see further. Homophone: «missed» (past of «miss») — «I missed the bus in the mist.»