| 释义 |
unc·tu·ous
\ˈəŋ(k)chəwəs, -)chəs, -)sh-\ adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French unctueux, from Medieval Latin unctuosus, irregular from Latin unctum ointment (from neuter of unctus, past participle of unguere to anoint) + -osus -ous — more at ointment
1.
a. : having the nature or qualities of an unguent or ointment : fatty, greasy, oily
< rubbed on an unctuous preparation >
b. : rich in oil or fat : containing a great deal of grease
< it took floods of drink to wash down these unctuous and heavily flavored courses — Silas Spitzer >
c. : having some of the nature or qualities of grease
< an unctuous vapor >
d. : smooth and greasy in texture or appearance
< unctuous with kitchen smoke — Nathaniel Hawthorne >
: suggestive of fat or grease
< unctuous feel >
2.
a. : rich in organic matter and easily workable
< unctuous soil >
b. : plastic
< a layer of fine unctuous clay — C.O.Dunbar >
3. : full of unction; especially : revealing or marked by a smug, ingratiating, and false earnestness or spirituality : oily
< the devastating portrait of the unctuous literary opportunist — R.A.Cordell >
< his unctuous morality, which sickens later ages — Roy Lewis & Angus Maude >
• unc·tu·ous·ly adverb
• unc·tu·ous·ness noun -es |