EMOLLIENT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does emollient mean? 

• EMOLLIENT (noun)
  The noun EMOLLIENT has 1 sense:

1. 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

  Familiarity information: EMOLLIENT used as a noun is very rare.

• EMOLLIENT (adjective)
  The adjective EMOLLIENT has 1 sense:

1. having a softening or soothing effect especially to the skin

  Familiarity information: EMOLLIENT used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EMOLLIENT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

cream; emollient; ointment

Hypernyms ("emollient" is a kind of...):

toilet articles; toiletry (artifacts used in making your toilet (washing and taking care of your body))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "emollient"):

cold cream; coldcream; face cream; vanishing cream (a cream used cosmetically (mostly by women) for softening and cleaning the skin)

hand cream (moisturizing cream for the hands)

lanolin (an emollient containing wool fat (a fatty substance obtained from the wool of sheep))

nard; spikenard (an aromatic ointment used in antiquity)

sun blocker; sunblock; sunscreen (a cream spread on the skin; contains a chemical (as PABA) to filter out ultraviolet light and so protect from sunburn)

Derivation:

emollient (having a softening or soothing effect especially to the skin)

• EMOLLIENT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having a softening or soothing effect especially to the skin

Synonyms:

demulcent; emollient; salving; softening

Similar:

soft (yielding readily to pressure or weight)

Derivation:

emollient (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)

 Context examples 

Any of the commercial combination preparations, by Pfizer, containing humectants, emollients and emulsifiers with moisturizing activity.

(Lubriderm, NCI Thesaurus)

The sodium salt of docusate, a dioctyl salt and an emollient laxative with stool-softening activity.

(Docusate Sodium, NCI Thesaurus)

The calcium salt of docusate, a dioctyl salt and an emollient laxative with stool-softening activity.

(Docusate Calcium, NCI Thesaurus)

A surface-active emollient, stool softener Docusate helps liquids to mix into dry stool, allowing patients to have a bowel movement without straining.

(Casanthranol/Docusate, NCI Thesaurus)

Hyaluronic acid, squalene and avocado oil provide barrier protection, help maintain skin integrity and are natural emollients and moisturizers.

(Beta-glucan/Alginate/Hyaluronic Acid/Squalene/Avocado Oil-containing Emulsion, NCI Thesaurus)

Docusate sodium acts as a surface-active agent (emollient) that promotes the mixing of intestinal liquid and dry stool.

(Glyoktyl, NCI Thesaurus)

Almond oil is typically used as a skin emollient and for massage.

(Almond Oil, NCI Thesaurus)