de·mul·cent (dĭ-mŭl'sənt) adj. Serving to soothe or soften. n. A soothing, usually mucilaginous or oily substance, such as glycerin or lanolin, used especially to relieve pain in inflamed or irritated mucous membranes.
[Latin dēmulcēns, dēmulcent-, present participle of dēmulcēre, to soften : dē-, de- + mulcēre, to stroke.]
Main Entry: 1de·mul·cent Pronunciation: di-'m&l-s&nt Function: adjective : tending to soothe or soften<demulcent expectorants which give a protective coating to the throat —Therapeutic Notes>
Main Entry: 2demulcent Function: noun : a usually mucilaginous or oily substance (as tragacanth) capable of soothing or protecting an abraded mucous membrane
demulcent de·mul·cent (dĭ-mŭl'sənt) adj. Relieving irritation; soothing. n. A soothing, usually mucilaginous or oily substance, such as glycerin or lanolin, used especially to relieve pain in inflamed or irritated mucous membranes.