Demulcent

Demulcent
Soothing. The word "demulcent" comes from the Latin verb, "demulcere" meaning "to caress." Something that is demulcent is caressing. The term "demulcent" refers to an agent, such as an oil, that forms a soothing film when administered onto the surface of a mucous membrane. A demulcent is meant to relieve the irritation of the inflamed mucous membrane. For example, a cough syrup may claim to be "a gentle demulcent medicine that will relieve the pain of sore throat." Nothing soothes like a caress (or a demulcent).
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1. Soothing; relieving irritation. 2. An agent, such as a mucilage or oil, that soothes and relieves irritation, especially of the mucous surfaces. [L. de-mulceo, pp. -mulctus, to stroke lightly, to soften]

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de·mul·cent di-'məl-sənt adj tending to soothe or soften <\demulcent expectorants which give a protective coating to the throat (Therapeutic Notes)>
demulcent n a usu. mucilaginous or oily substance (as tragacanth) capable of soothing or protecting an abraded mucous membrane

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n.
a soothing agent that protects the mucous membranes and relieves irritation. Demulcents form a protective film and are used in mouth washes, gargles, etc., to soothe irritation or inflammation in the mouth.

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de·mul·cent (de-mulґsənt) 1. soothing; bland; allaying the irritation of inflamed or abraded surfaces. 2. a soothing, mucilaginous, or oily medicine or application. Called also lenitive.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Demulcent — De*mul cent, a. [L. demulcens, p. pr. of demulcere.] Softening; mollifying; soothing; assuasive; as, oil is demulcent. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • demulcent — index medicinal Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • demulcent — 1732, from L. demulcentem (nom. demulcens), prp. of demulcere to stroke down, soothingly pet, from DE (Cf. de ) (see DE (Cf. de )) + mulcere to soothe …   Etymology dictionary

  • demulcent — [dē mul′sənt, dimul′sənt] adj. [L demulcens, prp. of demulcere, to stroke down, soften < de , down + mulcere, to stroke < IE * melk , var. of base * melg to stroke > MILK] soothing n. a medicine or ointment that soothes irritated mucous… …   English World dictionary

  • Demulcent — A demulcent (derived from the Latin demulcere, caress ) is an agent that forms a soothing film over a mucous membrane, relieving minor pain and inflammation of the membrane. Demulcents are sometimes referred to as mucoprotective agents.… …   Wikipedia

  • demulcent — /di mul seuhnt/, adj. 1. soothing or mollifying, as a medicinal substance. n. 2. a demulcent substance or agent, often mucilaginous, as for soothing or protecting an irritated mucous membrane. [1725 35; < L demulcent (s. of demulcens, prp. of… …   Universalium

  • demulcent — de•mul•cent [[t]dɪˈmʌl sənt[/t]] adj. 1) pha soothing or mollifying, as a medicinal substance 2) pha a demulcent substance or agent, often mucilaginous • Etymology: 1725–35; < L dēmulcent , s. of dēmulcēns, prp. of dēmulcēre to stroke, soothe …   From formal English to slang

  • demulcent — Obtundent Ob*tund ent, n. [L. obtundens, p. pr. of obtundere.] (Med.) A substance which sheathes a part, or blunts irritation, usually some bland, oily, or mucilaginous matter; nearly the same as {demulcent}. Forsyth. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • demulcent — I. adjective Etymology: Latin demulcent , demulcens, present participle of demulcēre to soothe, from de + mulcēre to soothe Date: 1732 soothing II. noun Date: 1732 a usually mucilaginous or oily substance (as tragacanth) that can soothe or… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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