unctuosity
tʃu adjective
1.
characterized by excessive piousness or moralistic fervor, especially in an affected manner; excessively smooth, suave, or smug.
2.
of the nature of or characteristic of an unguent or ointment; oily; greasy.
3.
having an oily or soapy feel, as certain minerals.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin ūnctuōsus, equivalent to Latin ūnctu(s) act of anointing (ung(uere) to smear, anoint + -tus suffix of v. action) + -ōsus -ous
1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin ūnctuōsus, equivalent to Latin ūnctu(s) act of anointing (ung(uere) to smear, anoint + -tus suffix of v. action) + -ōsus -ous
Related forms
unc·tu·ous·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To unctuosity
00:10
Unctuosity
is always a great word to know.
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
unctuous (ˈʌŋktjʊəs) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | slippery or greasy |
| 2. | affecting an oily charm |
| [C14: from Medieval Latin unctuōsus, from Latin unctum ointment, from ungere to anoint] | |
| unctuosity | |
| —n | |
| 'unctuousness | |
| —n | |
| 'unctuously | |
| —adv | |
| unctuous (ˈʌŋktjʊəs) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | slippery or greasy |
| 2. | affecting an oily charm |
| [C14: from Medieval Latin unctuōsus, from Latin unctum ointment, from ungere to anoint] | |
| unctuosity | |
| —n | |
| 'unctuousness | |
| —n | |
| 'unctuously | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
unctuous
late 14c., "oily," from O.Fr. unctueus, from M.L. unctuosus "greasy," from L. unctus "act of anointing," from pp. stem of unguere "to anoint" (see unguent). Figurative sense of "blandly ingratiating" is first recorded 1742, perhaps in part with a literal sense, but in part
a sarcastic usage from unction in the meaning "deep spiritual feeling" (1690s), such as comes from having been anointed in the rite of unction.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
unctuous unc·tu·ous (ŭngk'ch&oomacr;-əs)
adj.
Containing or composed of oil or fat.
unc'tu·ous·ness or unc'tu·os'i·ty (-ŏs'ĭ-tē) n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
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