Word of the Day

Friday, January 23, 2004

unguent

\UNG-gwuhnt\ , noun;

A salve for sores, burns, or the like; an ointment.

Quotes:

As a blond nurse . . . leaned over and began to swab a stinging green unguent on the throbbing wound.

-- Lawrence Wright, God's Favorite

The window-sill was cluttered with shampoos and soaps and unguents.

-- Amit Chaudhuri, Freedom Song

Origin:

Unguent comes from Latin unguentum, from unguere, "to anoint."