unctuous
pronunciation
How to pronounce unctuous in British English:
UK [ˈʌŋktjuəs]
How to pronounce unctuous in American English:
US [ˈʌŋktʃuəs]
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- Adjective:
- unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech
Word Origin
- unctuous (adj.)
- late 14c., "oily, having a greasy or soapy feeling when touched," from Old French unctueus, from Medieval Latin unctuosus "greasy," from Latin unctus "act of anointing," from past participle stem of unguere "to anoint" (see unguent). Figurative sense of "blandly ingratiating" is first recorded 1742, perhaps in part with a literal sense, but in part a sarcastic usage from unction in the meaning "deep spiritual feeling" (1690s), such as comes from having been anointed in the rite of unction. Related: Unctuously; unctuousness.
Example
- 1. Her unctuous tones are disgusting .
- 2. He came up to me , oozing unctuous sympathy , hoping that I would buy him a drink .
- 3. He spoke sometimes with a marked savor and an unctuous kneading of the hands of that time when he should own the land , for he was the younger and by rule should have the expectancy of life .
- 4. He lambastes the " unctuous reverence " of the media for obama , and cites specifically " the media 's indifference to the anti-american hate speech of jeremiah wright , and to the nature and meaning of obama 's relations with bill ayers , the unrepentant terrorist . "
- 5. He made an unctuous assurance .