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