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. [1913… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
unctuous — *fulsome, oily, oleaginous, slick, soapy Analogous words: bland, politic, smooth, diplomatic (see SUAVE): obsequious (see SUBSERVIENT) Antonyms: brusque … New Dictionary of Synonyms
unctuous — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ excessively flattering or ingratiating. DERIVATIVES unctuously adverb unctuousness noun … English terms dictionary
unctuous — [uŋk′cho͞o əs] adj. [ME < ML unctuosus, greasy < L unctum, ointment < ungere, to anoint: see UNGUENT] 1. a) of, like, or characteristic of an ointment or unguent; oily or greasy b) made up of or containing fat or oil 2. like oil, soap,… … English World dictionary
unctuous — [[t]ʌ̱ŋktʃuəs[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED (disapproval) If you describe someone as unctuous, you are critical of them because they seem to be full of praise, kindness, or interest, but are obviously insincere. [FORMAL] ...the kind of unctuous tone that I… … English dictionary
unctuous — adjective a) Oily or greasy. In a word, after being tried out, the crisp, shrivelled blubber, now called scraps or fritters, still contains considerable of its unctuous properties. b) Rich, lush, intense, with layers of concentrated, soft,… … Wiktionary
unctuous — adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French unctueus, from Medieval Latin unctuosus, from Latin unctus act of anointing, from unguere to anoint Date: 14th century 1. a. fatty, oily b. smooth and greasy … New Collegiate Dictionary
unctuous — Greasy or oily. [L. unctuosus, fr. unctio, unction] * * * unc·tu·ous əŋ(k) chə( wə)s, əŋ(k)sh wəs adj rich in oil or fat: FATTY <an unctuous pharmaceutical preparation> * * * unc·tu·ous (ungkґchoo əs) greasy or oily; oleaginous … Medical dictionary
unctuous — I (Roget s IV) modif. 1. [Oily] Syn. greasy, lenitive, unguent; see oily 1 . 2. [Smooth] Syn. plastic, slippery, waxy; see oily 2 , slippery . 3. [Ingratiating] Syn. smooth, suave, insinuating, obsequious; see affected 2 , oily 3 . II (Roget s 3… … English dictionary for students
unctuous — adjective formal too friendly and praising people too much in a way that seems very insincere: There is something smug and unctuous about him. unctuously adverb unctuousness noun (U) … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
