emollient

[ ih-mol-yuhnt ]

adjective

1. having the power of softening or relaxing, as a medicinal substance; soothing, especially to the skin:

   emollient lotions for the face.

   Synonyms: assuasive, healing, palliative

noun

1. an emollient medicine, lotion, salve, etc.

emollient

/ ɪˈmɒlɪənt /

adjective

1. softening or soothing, esp to the skin
2. helping to avoid confrontation; calming

noun

1. any preparation or substance that has a softening or soothing effect, esp when applied to the skin

Derived Forms

• eˈmollience, noun

Other Words From

• e·mollience noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of emollient¹

First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin ēmollient- (stem of ēmolliēns ) “softening up” (present participle of ēmollīre ), equivalent to ē- intensive prefix + molli(s) “soft” + -ent- noun and adjective suffix; e- ¹, -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of emollient¹

C17: from Latin ēmollīre to soften, from mollis soft

Example Sentences

To test whether water anoles are an exception to the rule, Swierk prevented the formation of normal rebreathing bubbles over the lizards' nostrils by applying a commercial emollient to their skin surface.

From Salon

Even one strong supporter of the prime minister wondered why Mr Sunak had not been more publicly emollient to the rebels, as he was last month when he allowed them to parade into Downing Street to discuss the bill, accusing him of adopting an "I'm cleverer than you attitude".

From BBC

A more encompassing and emollient phrase is “research-related incident,” preferred by Jamie Metzl and some other critics.

From New York Times

Mr. Erdogan may disappoint those who hope for a more emollient, more Western-leaning Turkey, however, and Turkey is not the only ally becoming more authoritarian.

From New York Times

Lipner recommends slathering a thick emollient cream on the area, then putting on a pair of cotton socks and letting the moisturizer do its work while you sleep.

From Washington Post