wetting agent

noun

Chemistry.

1. any admixture to a liquid for increasing its ability to penetrate, or spread over the surface of, a given material, especially cloth, paper, or leather.

wetting agent

noun

1. chem any substance added to a liquid to lower its surface tension and thus increase its ability to spread across or penetrate into a solid

Word History and Origins

Origin of wetting agent¹

First recorded in 1935–40