unguent n : semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation [syn: ointment, unction, balm, salve]

English

Etymology

From unguentum, from unguere, from .

Cognates include Old Prussian anctan, Old High German ancho, German anke, Welsh ymenyn.

Pronunciation

• /ˈʌŋgwənt/

Noun

1. any cream containing medicinal ingredients applied to the skin for therapeutic purposes

Quotations

• 1809-1812 — William Combe, Tour of Doctor Syntax in Search of the Picturesque

  "Alas!" said Syntax, "could I pop / Just now, upon a blacksmith's shop, / Whose cooling unguents would avail / To save poor Grizzle's ears and tail!"

• 1853 — Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Golden Fleece

  So she put a golden box into his hand, and directed him how to apply the perfumed unguent which it contained, and where to meet her at midnight.

• 1890 — Arthur Conan Doyle, A Literary Mosaic

  Thou knowest of old that my temper is somewhat choleric, and my tongue not greased with that unguent which oils the mouths of the lip-serving lords of the land.

See also

• medicine
• ointment

An unguent is a soothing topical preparation spread on wounds, burns, rashes, abrasions or other topical injuries. It is similar to an ointment, though typically an unguent is less viscous and more oily.

It is usually delivered as a semi-solid paste spread on the skin and is often oily to suspend the medication or other active ingredients. See also salve.

See also

Cream perfumes

References

adipose, balm, balsam, blubbery, brilliantine, buttery, butyraceous, cerate, chrism, chrismal, chrismatory, cold cream, collyrium, cream, demulcent, embrocation, emollient, eye-lotion, eyewash, eyewater, face cream, fat, fatty, greasy, hand lotion, inunction, inunctum, lanolin, lardaceous, lardy, lenitive, liniment, lotion, mucoid, nard, oil, oily, ointment, oleaginous, oleic, pomade, pomatum, rich, salve, sebaceous, sleek, slick, slippery, smooth, soapy, soothing syrup, spikenard, suety, tallowy, unction, unctuous, unguentary, unguentous, unguentum, vulnerary