emollient

views updated Jun 27 2018

e·mol·lient / iˈmälyənt/ • adj. having the quality of softening or soothing the skin: an emollient cream. ∎  attempting to avoid confrontation or anger; soothing or calming: the president's emollient approach to differences.• n. a preparation that softens the skin: formulated with rich emollients.DERIVATIVES: e·mol·lience n.

emollient

views updated Jun 08 2018

emollient softening. XVII. f. prp. stem of L. ēmollīre, f. E- + mollis soft; see MOLLIFY, -ENT.

emollient

views updated May 21 2018

emollient (i-mol-iĕnt) n. an agent that soothes and softens the skin, such as lanolin or liquid paraffin. Emollients are used alone as moisturizers to lessen the need for active drug therapy (such as corticosteroids for eczema) and in skin preparations as a base for more active drugs, such as antibiotics.