demulcent

[dih-muhl-suh nt]

See more synonyms for demulcent on Thesaurus.com

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for demulcent

tepid, delicate, peaceful, sunny, balmy, breezy, benign, warm, weak, calm, smooth, bland, mellow, moderate, soft, cool, balm, ointment, cosmetic, salve

Examples from the Web for demulcent

Historical Examples of demulcent

Demulcent and emollient; principally used for poultices and fomentations.
Cattle and Their Diseases
Robert Jennings
It is little more than a demulcent, and in this country is not employed as a medicine.
The Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees
James Mooney
Used in coughs as an anodyne and demulcent, in lieu of opium lozenges.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II
Arnold Cooley
It is demulcent and emollient; chiefly used in ointments and cerates.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II
Arnold Cooley
Uses, &c. Sweet almonds are nutritive, emollient, and demulcent; but frequently disagree with weak stomachs.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I
Arnold Cooley

British Dictionary definitions for demulcent

demulcent

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

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

Word Origin and History for demulcent

adj.

1732, from Latin demulcentem (nominative demulcens), present participle of demulcere "to stroke down, soothingly pet," from de- (see de-) + mulcere "to soothe."

demulcent in Medicine

demulcent

[dĭ-mŭl′sənt]

adj.

Relieving irritation; soothing.

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