Unguent
/ˈʌŋ.ɡwənt/noun
A soothing or healing ointment applied to the skin.
Did you know?Unguent comes from Latin unguere, “to anoint,” the same sacred root behind ceremonial oiling, so the word carries the old idea that touch itself could consecrate and heal.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₃engʷ-
“to anoint, smear with oil”
Latin
Latin
unguere
“to anoint or smear with oil”
Latin
Latin
unguentum
“an ointment, salve, or perfumed unguent”
Old French
Old French
onguent
“ointment or salve”
Middle English
English
unguent
“a medicinal or perfumed salve”
Modern English
English
unguent
“a soothing or healing ointment applied to the skin”
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