Hypertext Webster Gateway: "demulcent"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Demulcent \De*mul"cent\, a. [L. demulcens, p. pr. of demulcere.]
Softening; mollifying; soothing; assuasive; as, oil is
demulcent.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Demulcent \De*mul"cent\, n. (Med.)
A substance, usually of a mucilaginous or oily nature,
supposed to be capable of soothing an inflamed nervous
membrane, or protecting it from irritation. Gum Arabic,
glycerin, olive oil, etc., are demulcents.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
demulcent
adj : having a softening or soothing effect especially to the skin
[syn: {emollient}, {salving}, {softening}]
n : a medication (in the form of an oil or salve etc.) that
soothes inflamed or injured skin
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