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unctuous - 6 dictionary results

unc⋅tu⋅ous

[uhngk-choo-uhs]
–adjective
1. characterized by excessive piousness or moralistic fervor, esp. 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; ME < ML ūnctuōsus, equiv. to L ūnctu(s) act of anointing (ung(uere) to smear, anoint + -tus suffix of v. action) + -ōsus -ous


unc⋅tu⋅ous⋅ly, adverb
unc⋅tu⋅ous⋅ness, unc⋅tu⋅os⋅i⋅ty [uhngk-choo-os-i-tee] , noun
unc·tu·ous   (ŭngk'chōō-əs)   
adj.  
  1. Characterized by affected, exaggerated, or insincere earnestness: "the unctuous, complacent court composer who is consumed with envy and self-loathing" (Rhoda Koenig).
  2. Having the quality or characteristics of oil or ointment; slippery.
  3. Containing or composed of oil or fat.
  4. Abundant in organic materials; soft and rich: unctuous soil.

[Middle English, from Old French unctueus, from Medieval Latin ūnctuōsus, from Latin ūnctum, ointment, from neuter past participle of unguere, to anoint.]
unc'tu·ous·ly adv., unc'tu·ous·ness, unc'tu·os'i·ty (-ŏs'ĭ-tē) n.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean insincerely, self-servingly, or smugly agreeable or earnest: an unctuous toady; gave the dictator a fulsome introduction; oily praise; oleaginous hypocrisy; smarmy self-importance.

Unctuous

Unc"tu*ous\ (?; 135), a. [F. onctueux, LL. unctuosus, fr. L. unctus anointment, fr. ungere, unctum, to anoint. See Unguent.]

1. Of the nature or quality of an unguent or ointment; fatty; oily; greasy. "The unctuous cheese." --Longfellow.

2. Having a smooth, greasy feel, as certain minerals.

3. Bland; suave; also, tender; fervid; as, an unctuous speech; sometimes, insincerely suave or fervid. -- Unc"tu*ous*ly, adv. -- Unc"tu*ous*ness, n.

unctuous 
1387, "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). Fig. 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" (1692), such as comes from having been anointed in the rite of unction.

Main Entry: unc·tu·ous
Pronunciation: '&[ng](k)-ch&(-w&)s, '&[ng](k)sh-w&s
Function: adjective
: rich in oil or fat : FATTY unctuous pharmaceutical preparation>

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.

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