a. and sb. Med. Also 7 emolent, 8–9 emolient. [f. L. ēmollient-em, pr. pple. of ēmollī-re to soften, f. ē intensive + molli-s soft.]
A. adj. That has the power of softening or relaxing the living animal textures. Also fig.
1643. J. Steer, trans. Exper. Chyrurg., vii. 29. I use emolent Medicines.
1655. Culpepper, Cole & Rowland, Riverius, X. iii. 289. A Decoction of Emollient Herbs.
1796. Burke, Regic. Peace, Wks. VIII. 135. All the emolient cataplasms of robbery and confiscation.
1833. Mrs. Browning, Prometh. Bd., Poet. Wks. (1850), I. 161. Mixtures of emollient remedies.
1876. Gross, Dis. Bladder, 26. A large emollient poultice is applied to the vesicated surface.
B. sb. A softening application. Chiefly in pl.
1656. Ridgley, Pract. Physick, 13. Lay not on the scarified place emollients.
1667. Decay Chr. Piety, xix. § 13 (1683), 368. This pacifick purpose, as a lenitive and emollient.
1727. Pope, etc. Art Sinking, 92. The emollients and opiats of poesy.
1875. H. C. Wood, Therap. (1879), 582. True emollients are perfectly bland, fatty substances.
