unguent

American  

[uhng-gwuhnt] / ˈʌŋ gwənt /

noun

1. an ointment or salve, usually liquid or semiliquid, for application to wounds, sores, etc.

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unguent British  

/ ˈʌŋɡwənt /

noun

1. a less common name for an ointment

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Other Word Forms

• unguentary adjective

Etymology

Origin of unguent

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin unguentum, alteration (probably by association with the suffixes -men, -mentum ) of unguen fat, grease, derivative of unguere to smear, anoint

Example Sentences

Lucas could not identify the substances at the time, but he concluded most were not unguents or perfumes.

From Science Daily

Likewise, “sefet” is thought to refer to a sacred oil, but three vessels with that label contained animal fats combined with plant additives, suggesting it could be a scented unguent instead.

From Washington Post

Originally, the weapon salve is an unguent applied to the weapon which has caused a wound and thus cures the wound.

From Literature

Other results have been ascribed by the disappointed parties to grooming products – unguents, pomades and so on.

From The Guardian

“It would be irrational to assume that unguent cones did not have a scent or that their function wasn’t to perfume its wearer,” she said.

From New York Times