suint

[ soo-int, swint ]

noun

1. the natural grease of the wool of sheep, consisting of a mixture of fatty matter and potassium salts, used as a source of potash and in the preparation of ointments.

suint

/ ˈsuːɪnt; swɪnt /

noun

1. a water-soluble substance found in the fleece of sheep, consisting of peptides, organic acids, metal ions, and inorganic cations and formed from dried perspiration

Word History and Origins

Origin of suint¹

1785–95; < French, Middle French, equivalent to su ( er ) to sweat (< Latin sūdāre; sweat ) + -in suffix of mass nouns (as in crottin dung); -t after oint, past participle of oindre to rub with oil, anoint

Word History and Origins

Origin of suint¹

C18: from French suer to sweat, from Latin sūdāre