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Synonyms

demulcent

American  
[dih-muhl-suhnt] / dɪˈmʌl sənt /

adjective

  1. soothing or mollifying, as a medicinal substance.


noun

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

demulcent British  
/ dɪˈmʌlsənt /

adjective

  1. soothing; mollifying

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Honey acts as a demulcent, meaning it calms down irritated tissues by coating them.

From Seattle Times Oct. 31, 2022

You can hear it in the Weeknd’s demulcent falsetto, in Rihanna’s unruffled cool, in Drake’s creamier verses, even in Justin Bieber’s buffed edges.

From Washington Post Apr. 19, 2017

While the absence of menthol in most Luden’s flavors make them toothsome, they do, unlike, say, Life Savers, contain pectin, a demulcent, which coats irritated mucous membranes.

From New York Times Dec. 2, 2011

The divine then composes his spirits "by the gentle sedative of a large cup of tea, the demulcent of a well-buttered muffin, and the tonic of a small lobster."

From The Guardian Apr. 16, 2010

Aromatic and demulcent drafts may be given to produce a soothing effect on the mucous lining of the stomachs and to promote digestion.

From Special Report on Diseases of Cattle by United States. Bureau of Animal Industry

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