unguent

noun

un·​guent ˈəŋ-gwənt How to pronounce unguent (audio)
ˈən-;
ˈən-jənt How to pronounce unguent (audio)
: a soothing or healing salve : ointment

Examples of unguent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web TikTok has its Get Ready With Mes, where influencers chat over their plethora of skin-nourishing unguents and artful makeup products. Constance Grady, Vox, 6 June 2024 Nevertheless, our ancestors had some inkling that different substances, when applied as ointments, unguents, or pastes, could protect or heal skin from a range of injuries, including sun damage. Discover Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024 But the notion of an alien worm producing its own mind-melting unguent doesn’t seem especially bonkers. Popular Science, 6 Mar. 2024 But the institutional gangrene to which Levin draws attention seems to me to go beyond what the unguents in our current chrismatories can heal. Michael Knox Beran, National Review, 6 Feb. 2020 The transition from handset juggernaut to invisible technological unguent was not without casualties. Natasha Frost, Quartz, 29 Oct. 2019 It should be noted that this soothing unguent is under some fire. Ross Kenneth Urken, Town & Country, 26 Sep. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unguent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin unguentum — more at ointment

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unguent was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near unguent

Cite this Entry

“Unguent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unguent. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

unguent

noun
un·​guent ˈəŋ-gwənt How to pronounce unguent (audio) ˈən- How to pronounce unguent (audio)
ˈən-jənt
: a soothing or healing salve : ointment

Medical Definition

unguent

noun
un·​guent
ˈəŋ-gwənt also ˈən-jənt
: a soothing or healing salve : ointment

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