mădesco, dŭi, 3, v. inch. n. [madeo], to become moist or wet (poet. and in post-Aug. prose).
I Lit.: semiusta madescunt Robora, Verg. A. 5, 697: tellus Nubibus assiduis pluvioque madescit ab austro, Ov. M. 1, 66: multā terra madescit aquā, id. F. 6, 198: nec madescimus nisi umore, * Quint. 6, 2, 28: spectare oportet, num tempora paulum madescant, become moist , i. e. perspire , Cels. 3, 6 med. —Poet.: quibus invito maduerunt sanguine dextrae, have killed , Val. Fl. 3, 391; cf.: nati maduere paterno Sanguine, Luc. 2, 149.—*
B In partic., to get drunk, become intoxicated : quem (Chrysippum) cotidie ferunt madescere solitum, Front. de Fer. Als. 3 Mai.—
II Transf., to become soft : ne umore madescant ungulae, Col. 6, 30; 11, 3, 23; id. poët. 10, 398: triticum madescit dulci aquā ligneis vasis, Plin. 18, 7, 17, § 76.