demulcent

****************************************************************
Attention word gurus:  try WORD SWEEP!, the first board game to feature 
Merriam-Webster definitions! Available at Borders Bookstores.
http://www.wordsweep.com
****************************************************************

The Word of the Day for June 1 is:

demulcent   \dih-MULL-sunt\   adjective
     : soothing 

Example sentence:
     The lozenges had a demulcent effect, and my sore throat was soon feeling 
much better.

Did you know?
     "Demulcent" derives from the Latin verb "demulcere," meaning "to soothe." 
"Demulcere" in turn comes from a combination of the prefix "de-" and "mulcere," 
an earlier verb that also means "to soothe." As an adjective, "demulcent" often 
applies to the soothing nature of some medicines, but you can also use it to 
describe such things as a soothing voice or a soothing demeanor. The noun 
"demulcent" is used for a gelatinous or oily substance that is capable of 
soothing inflamed or abraded mucous membranes and protecting them from further 
irritation.





You Are Subscribed As: gclw-mw-wod7@xxxxxxxxx
To unsubscribe, change your e-mail address or to subscribe to the html
version of Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day, featuring audio
pronunciations, please visit:

http://mw.drhinternet.net/sm/wod/changeofaddress.iphtml

(c) 2007 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated

Merriam-Webster, Inc.
47 Federal Street
P.O. Box 281
Springfield, MA 01102