Make Your Point > Archived Issues > EMOLLIENT

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explore the archives: Emollient, both an adjective and a noun, is all about softening, both literally and figuratively. We've had a look at two verbs that also denote softening. Could you recall them? Both start with P: One means to make people or situations more calm (and is related to the word for that little object you can hand to babies to soothe them). The other means to make something less intense or to make it seem less serious (and the adjective version describes the type of medical care that aims to reduce suffering instead of healing the disease). make your point with... "EMOLLIENT" From Latin roots meaning "thoroughly soft," an emollient (or something emollient) has a softening, soothing effect. A literal emollient is something you apply to the skin to soothe it. A figurative emollient soothes and softens people's feelings as well as situations. Pronunciation: Either "ih MALL yunt" or "ih MALL ee yunt." Part of speech: Both a noun (the countable kind: "an emollient," "two emollients," "this emollient") and an adjective ("an emollient thing," "it was emollient"). Other forms: Just the plural, "emollients." How to use it: For the noun, simply refer to words or actions as emollients, or talk about one thing that serves as an emollient to or for something else: "the job's generous salary serves as an emollient to its demanding hours," "the cheese is an emollient for the spices in this dish." For the adjective, talk about an emollient style or tone, an emollient leader (or one with an emollient management/leadership style), emollient remedies, emollient words (like emollient promises and assurances), actions that have an emollient intent, and so on. People can be emollient (or become more emollient or less emollient), have an emollient temper or demeanor, and act emollient. If you don't mind being poetic, you might talk about an emollient smile, an emollient hope, or an emollient memory. examples: Her emollient nature, which served her so well in her education career, became a weakness as she entered the competitive business environment. The auto-response email from customer service had that emollient tone which was, I'm sure, crafted carefully. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "emollient" means when you can explain it without saying "soothing" or "smoothing." try it out: Think of someone you know who's a peacemaker, or someone kind and gentle. Fill in the blanks: "With a few emollient words, (Person) can _____." Example: "With a few emollient words, and sometimes a cheesy pun, Chad can make any stressful situation easier." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. This month, we're playing "You Know, That Thing!" This game challenges your powers of recall. Start a timer: twenty seconds if you're an adult, longer if you're a kid or an English language learner. Read the description of each thing, and come up with its name. Try to name all three before your timer runs out. (Scroll all the way down for the answers.) Ready? Go! 1. A transmission system that always sends power to all four of the vehicle's wheels is… 2. On a farm, the tower in which grain is stored is a… 3. A sudden twitch or jerk in your body that startles you just as you're falling asleep is a… review today's word: 1. The opposite of EMOLLIENT is A. WATERY B. INTENSIVE C. ABRASIVE 2. The original draft of the letter was _____, the more emollient revision, _____. A. funny .. serious B. full of comma splices .. grammatically correct C. angry and subjective .. factual Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. C 2. C Answers to game questions: 1. all-wheel drive 2. silo 3. hypnagogic jerk, hypnic jerk, night start, sleep start, or sleep twitch