emollient

(ĭ-mŏl'yənt)
adj.

1. Softening and soothing, especially to the skin.
2. Making less harsh or abrasive; mollifying: the emollient approach of a diplomatic mediator.

n.

1. An agent that softens or soothes the skin.
2. An agent that assuages or mollifies.

[Latin ēmolliēns, ēmollient-, present participle of ēmollīre, to soften : ē-, ex-, intensive pref.; see ex- + mollīre, to soften (from mollis, soft).]

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adj

Definition: conciliatory
Antonyms: aggravating

adj

Definition: moisturizing
Antonyms: irritating

n

Definition: moisturizer
Antonyms: irritant

Agents that soothe and soften the skin. Emollients are oil-in-water emulsions (creams) or greasy and insoluble in water (ointments). They are used alone as moisturizers in the treatment of such conditions as eczema and psoriasis to lessen the need for, or complement, active drug therapy (such as corticosteroids) and in skin preparations as a base for a more active drug (such as an antibiotic). They either prevent water loss by forming a greasy layer to stop evaporation from the skin (e.g. white soft paraffin) or improve the binding of water to the skin, in which case they are called humectants (e.g. urea creams). Liquid paraffin, lanolin, and vegetable oils (such as arachis oil, almond oil, and soya oil) are other commonly used emollients. Some emollients are applied directly to the skin; others are added to the bath or used in the shower, in some cases as a substitute for soap.

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IN BRIEF: n. - Toiletry consisting of any of various substances in the form of a thick liquid that have a soothing and moisturizing effect when applied to the skin adj. - Having a softening or soothing effect especially to the skin.

Tutor's tip: The "emolument" (salary, wages, or gain from employment) of her new job allowed her to buy the expensive "emollient" (a substance for soothing or softening the skin) she loves.

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Substances that maintain or increase the wetness of a product. See Fats and Oils, Emulsifying Agent.

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1. soothing and softening, as an emollient bath given for various skin disorders.
2. an agent that softens or soothes the skin, or soothes an irritated internal surface.

(ē-mï′lē-ənt)
n

An agent that is soothing to the skin or mucous membrane; makes the skin softer or smoother.

For a list of words related to emollient, see:

• Dressings and Supports - emollient: medical preparation that soothes and softens external tissue
• Calm, Gentle, or Easygoing

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See words rhyming with "emollient."

  See crossword solutions for the clue Emollient.

Dansk (Danish)
adj. - blødgørende
n. - blødgøringsmiddel

Nederlands (Dutch)
verzachtend, iets dat verzachtend werkt

Français (French)
adj. - émollient
n. - émollient

Deutsch (German)
n. - Weichmittel
adj. - weich machend

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - μαλακτικό
adj. - μαλακτικός

Italiano (Italian)
emolliente

Português (Portuguese)
n., -
adj. - emoliente (m) (Med.)

Русский (Russian)
смягчающее средство, смягчающий

Español (Spanish)
adj. - emoliente
n. - emoliente

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - uppmjukande (lenande) medel (salva)
adj. - uppmjukande, lenande

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
使柔软的, 软化剂, 缓和剂

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
adj. - 使柔軟的
n. - 軟化劑, 緩和劑

한국어 (Korean)
adj. - 부드럽게 하는
n. - 완화제, 연화약

日本語 (Japanese)
adj. - 柔らかにする, 苦痛を緩和する
n. - 和らげるもの, 皮膚軟化薬

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) مرطب, مهدئ (صفه) مرطب, مهدئ‏

עברית (Hebrew)
adj. - ‮מרגיע, מרכך‬
n. - ‮משחת עור‬

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