Demulcent

Word of the Day for Saturday, September 1, 2012 Demulcent \dih-MUHL-suhnt\, adjective: 1. Soothing or mollifying, as a medicinal substance. noun: 1. A demulcent substance or agent, often mucilaginous, as for soothing or protecting an irritated mucous membrane. It will do you no harm to keep close, drink nothing but demulcent barley-water and eat gruel, thin gruel—no beef or mutton, no wine or spirits. -- Patrick O'Brian, Master and Commander She knew where sour grass grew, which you chew for dyspepsy, and mint, excellent for the nau-shy, and the slippery elm, whose fragrant inner bark was the favorite demulcent of a hundred years ago—the thing to use for raw throat and other sore tishas. -- James Thurber, Writings and Drawings Demulcent comes from the Latin word dēmulcere which meant "to soften." Thanks to: www.dictionary.com