emollient

& s. [Fr., from Lat. emolliens, pr. par. of emollio =to make soft; moll is =soft; Ital. emolliente.] A. As adj .: Softening, relaxing; making soft or supple. B. As substantive: I. Ordinary Language : 1. Lit .: In the same sense as II. 2. Fig .: Anything intended to soothe or comfort. II. Phar. ( pl .): Substances which soften the part to which they are applied, and soothe and diminish irritation, as warm water; starchy and mucilaginous substances, as flour, bread, oatmeal, linseed, gum, honey, figs, starch, collodion; oily and fatty substances, as linseed oil, olive oil, lard, wax suet, spermaceti, and glycerine; albuminous and gelatinous substances, as isingla , gelatin, and white of egg. Emollients are used to soothe parts which are inflamed or irritated, and to shield them from the action of the air or foreign influences (Garrod: Mat.Medica .) emotivene