/ iˈmɒliənt; NAmE iˈmɑːl-/ adjective , noun
■ adjective ( formal )
1.
making a person or situation calmer in the hope of keeping relations peaceful
SYN soothing :
an emollient reply
2.
( technical ) used for making your skin soft or less painful
SYN soothing :
an emollient cream
■ noun
[ C , U ] ( technical ) a liquid or cream that is used to make the skin soft
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from Latin emollient- making soft, from the verb emollire , from e- (variant of ex- out) + mollis soft.