saponaceous

adj.
Having the qualities of soap.

[Latin sāpō, sāpōn-, hair dye; see saponin + -ACEOUS.]

saponaceousness sap'o·na'ceous·ness n.

(sap-uh-NAY-shus)

adjective
Soapy, slippery, evasive.

Etymology
From New Latin saponaceus, from Latin sapon- (soap).

Usage
"Is this meant to be a fable about the power of the media (in the person of the saponaceous [Ross]) to expose secrets and destroy relatively innocent lives?" — Barbara D. Phillips; Theater: Animal Passions; The Wall Street Journal (New York); Mar 13, 2002.

"Perhaps the most revealing incident is the chapter on the kidnapping of Roger Tamraz. Tamraz, a saponaceous Lebanese businessman ..." — Walid Harb; Books & the Arts: 'Snake Eat Snake'; The Nation (New York); Jul 19, 1999.

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Soapy; of soaplike feel or quality.

slippery, elusive; soapy