Oleaginous
/ˌoʊ.liˈædʒ.ɪ.nəs/noun
Having the nature of oil; greasy or slick in texture or manner.
Did you know?Oleaginous comes from Latin oleum, “oil,” and in older usage it could describe not just greasy surfaces but a person’s overly smooth, fawning manner — like someone “anointed” with fake charm.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*elaiwo-
“oil, olive oil”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἐλαίᾱ (elaíā) / ἔλαιον (élaion)
“olive tree; olive oil”
Latin
Latin
oleum
“olive oil; oil”
Late Latin
Latin
oleaginōsus
“oily; of the nature of oil”
14th Century
English
oleaginous
“oily, greasy; figuratively smooth or unctuous”
Modern English
English
oleaginous
“oily, greasy, or excessively flattering”