demulcent
[dih-muhl-suh nt]
- soothing or mollifying, as a medicinal substance.
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- a demulcent substance or agent, often mucilaginous, as for soothing or protecting an irritated mucous membrane.
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Origin of demulcent
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for demulcent
Historical Examples
Demulcent and emollient; principally used for poultices and fomentations.
Cattle and Their DiseasesRobert Jennings
It is little more than a demulcent, and in this country is not employed as a medicine.
The Sacred Formulas of the CherokeesJames Mooney
Used in coughs as an anodyne and demulcent, in lieu of opium lozenges.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume IIArnold Cooley
It is demulcent and emollient; chiefly used in ointments and cerates.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume IIArnold Cooley
Uses, &c. Sweet almonds are nutritive, emollient, and demulcent; but frequently disagree with weak stomachs.
demulcent
- soothing; mollifying
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- a drug or agent that soothes the irritation of inflamed or injured skin surfaces
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Word Origin
C18: from Latin dēmulcēre to caress soothingly, from de- + mulcēre to stroke
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for demulcent
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
demulcent
(dĭ-mŭl′sənt)- Relieving irritation; soothing.
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- A soothing, usually mucilaginous or oily substance, such as glycerin or lanolin, used especially to relieve pain in inflamed or irritated mucous membranes.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.