emollient

[ ih-mol-yuh nt ]
/ ɪˈmɒl yənt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR emollient ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

having the power of softening or relaxing, as a medicinal substance; soothing, especially to the skin: emollient lotions for the face.

noun

an emollient medicine, lotion, salve, etc.

Origin of emollient

1635–45; < Latin ēmollient- (stem of ēmolliēns) softening up (present participle of ēmollīre), equivalent to ē- e-1 + molli(s) soft + -ent- -ent

OTHER WORDS FROM emollient

e·mol·lience, noun

Words nearby emollient

emmylou, emo, emocore, emodin, emoji, emollient, emolument, emory, emory oak, emote, emoticon

Words related to emollient

healing, demulcent, lenitive, palliative, balm, oil, ointment, salve, unguent, liniment, cream, remedial, balsamic, relieving, moisturizer

Example sentences from the Web for emollient

British Dictionary definitions for emollient

emollient
/ (ɪˈmɒlɪənt) /

adjective

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

noun

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

Derived forms of emollient

emollience, noun

Word Origin for emollient

C17: from Latin ēmollīre to soften, from mollis soft

Medical definitions for emollient

emollient
[ ĭ-mŏl′yənt ]

adj.

Softening and soothing, especially to the skin.

n.

An agent that softens or soothes the skin.