demulcent

[ dih-muhl-suh nt ]
/ dɪˈmʌl sənt /

adjective

soothing or mollifying, as a medicinal substance.

noun

a demulcent substance or agent, often mucilaginous, as for soothing or protecting an irritated mucous membrane.

Origin of demulcent

1725–35; < Latin dēmulcent- (stem of dēmulcēns, present participle of dēmulcere to stroke down, soften), equivalent to dē- de- + mulc(ere) to soothe + -ent- -ent

Words nearby demulcent

Example sentences from the Web for demulcent

British Dictionary definitions for demulcent

demulcent
/ (dɪˈmʌlsənt) /

adjective

soothing; mollifying

noun

a drug or agent that soothes the irritation of inflamed or injured skin surfaces

Word Origin for demulcent

C18: from Latin dēmulcēre to caress soothingly, from de- + mulcēre to stroke

Medical definitions for demulcent

demulcent
[ dĭ-mŭlsənt ]

adj.

Relieving irritation; soothing.

n.

A soothing, usually mucilaginous or oily substance, such as glycerin or lanolin, used especially to relieve pain in inflamed or irritated mucous membranes.