unctuous

/ˈʌŋ(k)t͡ʃʊəs/

Etymology

From Late Middle English unctuous [and other forms], borrowed from Medieval Latin ūnctuōsus (“greasy, oily, unctuous”), from Latin ūnctum (“ointment; rich banquet; rich savoury dish”) + -ōsus (suffix meaning ‘full of; overly’ forming adjectives from nouns). Ūnctum is a noun use of the perfect passive participle of unguō (“to anoint; to smear with oil, to grease or oil”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃engʷ- (“to anoint; to smear”). Cognates * Italian untuoso * Old French onctües, unctueus, unctuose (modern French onctueux) * Portuguese unctuoso * Spanish untuoso

unctuous means having the nature or properties of an unguent or ointment; greasy, oily. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 72 out of 100.

Why this word is great

UNCTUOUS — [Adjective] Characterized by a smooth, greasy, or oily quality, either literally in texture or figuratively in an excessively ingratiating manner. From Medieval Latin ūnctuōsus ("greasy, oily"), from Latin ūnctum ("ointment"), from unguō ("to anoint, smear with oil"), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃engʷ- ("to anoint, smear"). Unlike "oleaginous," which snarls with a more overtly repulsive insincerity, or "saccharine," which cloys with a treacly sweetness, "unctuous" glides on a subtler, more tactile slickness. It is the cold, gelatinous fat congealing on a plate of gravy, the handshake that lingers a moment too long leaving a phantom film upon the skin, or the audible glide of a voice offering hollow condolences—a secular unction applied not to bless, but to possess, leaving the sensation of being not just deceived, but soiled by the attempt.

adj

Having the nature or properties of an unguent or ointment; greasy, oily.“It is, of the one part, / A humide exhalation, vvhich vve call / Materia liquida, or the Vnctuous VVater; […]”
Having fat or oil present; fatty, greasy, oily.“Meates fatte and vnctuouſe, nouryſheth, and maketh ſoluble.”
Of an aroma or taste, or a beverage (such as coffee or wine) or food (such as gravy, meat, or sauce): having layers of concentrated, velvety flavour; lush, rich.“Again, Taſts may properly be ſaid, to be Soft or Hard. A Soft Taſte, is either Vapid, as in VVatery Bodies, VVhites of Eggs, Starch, Fine Boles, &c. Or Unctuous, as in Oyls, Fat, &c. […] Contrary to an Unctuous Taſte, are Aſtringent, and Pungent; as in Galls, and Spirit of Sal Aromanick.”
Of soil: soft and sticky.“Furthermore, good and excellent Earth ſhould be of the ſame conſtitution, and not of contrary, as ſoft and hard; churliſh and mild; moiſt and dry; not too unctuous nor too lean, but reſoluble, and of a juſt and procreative temper, combining into a light, and eaſily crumbling Mould; […]”
Of a person:; Complacent, self-satisfied, smug.
Of a person:; Profusely polite, especially in an insincere and unpleasant manner.“"No bankers' books, or cheque books, or bill, or such tokens of wealth rolling in from day to day?" said old Sol, looking wistfully at his nephew out of the fog that always seemed to hang about him, and laying an unctuous emphasis upon the words.”