unguent

[ uhng-gwuhnt ]

noun

1. an ointment or salve, usually liquid or semiliquid, for application to wounds, sores, etc.

unguent

/ ˈʌŋɡwənt /

noun

1. a less common name for an ointment

Derived Forms

• ˈunguentary, adjective

Other Words From

• un·guen·tar·y [uhng, -gw, uh, n-ter-ee], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of unguent¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin unguentum, alteration (probably by association with the suffixes -men, -mentum ) of unguen fat, grease, derivative of unguere to smear, anoint

Word History and Origins

Origin of unguent¹

C15: from Latin unguentum, from unguere to anoint

Example Sentences

Likewise, “sefet” is thought to refer to a sacred oil, but three vessels with that label contained animal fats combined with plant additives, suggesting it could be a scented unguent instead.

From Washington Post

Originally, the weapon salve is an unguent applied to the weapon which has caused a wound and thus cures the wound.

From Literature

Other results have been ascribed by the disappointed parties to grooming products – unguents, pomades and so on.

From The Guardian

“It would be irrational to assume that unguent cones did not have a scent or that their function wasn’t to perfume its wearer,” she said.

From New York Times

But the discovery also potentially undermines another leading hypothesis about the cones: that they were perfumed lumps of unguent that slowly melted in the sun to perfume and cleanse the body, both literally and spiritually.

From Science Magazine