What does "demulcent" mean?
A soothing medication used to relieve pain in inflamed tissues.
Demulcent
/dɪˈmʌls(ə)nt/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A soothing medication used to relieve pain in inflamed tissues.
- Grammar: demulcent is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: alleviating, alleviative, analgesic, anesthetic.
- Useful contrasts: astringent, irritant, thin.
- Usage evidence: In continual hectic Heats, and if the ſweet Juices, by a continued ſlow Fever, acquire a ſaltiſh alcaline Acrimony, Cream and new Butter, on Account of their demulcent Qualities, are found to produce excellent Effects.
How to use "demulcent"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "demulcent" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "demulcent" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "demulcent" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "demulcent" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "alleviating" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A soothing medication used to relieve pain in inflamed tissues.
"Indians of the West Coast used preparations of prickly-pear to treat wounds, burns, contusions, warts, and even to facilitate childbirth. Modern herbalists recognize the plant's slippery-oily juice as a useful emollient and demulcent, which may be used externally to soothe dry, irritated skin or internally as a diuretic or anti-inflammatory agent for the digestive and urinary tracts."
- 2 a medication (in the form of an oil or salve etc.) that soothes inflamed or injured skin wordnet
Adjective
- 1 Soothing or softening. also, figuratively
"In continual hectic Heats, and if the ſweet Juices, by a continued ſlow Fever, acquire a ſaltiſh alcaline Acrimony, Cream and new Butter, on Account of their demulcent Qualities, are found to produce excellent Effects."
Adjective
- 1 having a softening or soothing effect especially to the skin wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"In continual hectic Heats, and if the ſweet Juices, by a continued ſlow Fever, acquire a ſaltiſh alcaline Acrimony, Cream and new Butter, on Account of their demulcent Qualities, are found to produce excellent Effects."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "demulcent"?
Common synonyms include: alleviating, alleviative, analgesic, anesthetic, anodyne, assuasive.
How do you use "demulcent" in a sentence?
In continual hectic Heats, and if the ſweet Juices, by a continued ſlow Fever, acquire a ſaltiſh alcaline Acrimony, Cream and new Butter, on Account of their demulcent Qualities, are found to produce excellent Effects.
How do you pronounce "demulcent"?
Pronounced /dɪˈmʌls(ə)nt/.
Etymology
From Latin dēmulcēns, present active participle of dēmulceō (“to stroke caressingly; to soften, soothe, allure”), from dē- (“from; of”) + mulceō (“to move or touch gently or lightly, to stroke; to make pleasant or sweet; to soften, soothe, alleviate, relieve”).