Emollient (adjective)
Pronunciation: [ê-'mahl-yênt or ee-'mahl-yênt]
Definition: Softening, soothing; making less harsh or abrasive.
Usage: There is an ancient verb, "emolliate," which apparently was replaced over the years by mollify "soften, allay, reduce tension." "Mollify" does share an origin with today's word but not emolument "compensation," which comes from Latin emolere "to grind out." "Emollient" may be used as a noun referring to an agent that softens, as to apply an emollient to one's hands.
Suggested Usage: The basic thrust of today's word is to indicate a softening of the skin: "Lucinda often slipped emollient bath oils into Teddy's bath without his knowledge, but they had no effect on his crusty hide." However, there are few (if any) restrictions on the kinds of softening it applies to: "After storming out of the meeting, Molly returned with a few emollient words to settle the feathers she had ruffled."
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