Definition of humidity

The term "humidity" refers to the amount of water vapor present in the air. This word has its roots in the Latin word "umidus," which translates to "moist" or "wet." In ancient times, people used words like "moistness" or "mugginess" to describe humid conditions. However, the current term "humidity" began to emerge in the mid-1600s. The scientific community initially used the term "absolute humidity" to describe the amount of water vapor in the air per unit volume. As scientists continued to study the relationship between water vapor and atmospheric pressure, they introduced the term "relative humidity" to describe the percentage of water vapor currently in the air compared to the maximum amount the air can hold at a given temperature. Today, "humidity" is a common term used to describe a weather condition that affects human comfort levels. Excessive humidity can make it challenging to regulate body temperature, leading to discomfort, and even health concerns such as heat-related illnesses. In contrast, low humidity can cause dry skin, respiratory irritation, and heightened susceptibility to illnesses.