different between emollient vs liniment

English

Etymology

From French émollient, from Latin emolli?ns, present active participle of ?molli? (“make soft”), from ex- + molli?, from mollis (“soft”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /??m?l.?.?nt/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /??m?l.j?nt/

Noun

emollient (plural emollients)

1. Something which softens or lubricates the skin; moisturizer.
   • 2008, Carol A. Miller, Nursing for Wellness in Older Adults (Fifth edition), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, p. 505,

     [T]he effectiveness of an emollient is based on its ability to prevent water evaporation, […]

2. Anything soothing the mind, or that makes something more acceptable.
   • 2004, David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas,

     Attentive conversation is an emollient I lack sorely aboard Prophetess & the doctor is a veritable polymath.

Translations

Adjective

emollient (comparative more emollient, superlative most emollient)

1. Moisturizing.
2. Soothing or mollifying.

Translations

Related terms

• mollify

Latin

Verb

?mollient

1. third-person plural future active indicative of ?molli?

English

Etymology

From Late Latin linimentum.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?l?n?m?nt/

Noun

liniment (countable and uncountable, plural liniments)

1. A topical medical preparation intended to be rubbed into the skin with friction, as for example to relieve symptoms of arthritis.

Usage notes

• Not to be confused with linament.

Translations

Verb

liniment (third-person singular simple present liniments, present participle linimenting, simple past and past participle linimented)

1. (transitive) To apply liniment to.