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unctuous

   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.04 sec.
unc·tu·ous  (ngkch-s)
adj.
1. Characterized by affected, exaggerated, or insincere earnestness: "the unctuous, complacent court composer who is consumed with envy and self-loathing" (Rhoda Koenig).
2. Having the quality or characteristics of oil or ointment; slippery.
3. Containing or composed of oil or fat.
4. Abundant in organic materials; soft and rich: unctuous soil.
[Middle English, from Old French unctueus, from Medieval Latin nctusus, from Latin nctum, ointment, from neuter past participle of unguere, to anoint.]
unctu·ous·ly adv.
unctu·ous·ness, unctu·osi·ty (-s-t) n.
Synonyms: unctuous, fulsome, oily, oleaginous, smarmy
These adjectives mean insincerely, self-servingly, or smugly agreeable or earnest: an unctuous toady; gave the dictator a fulsome introduction; oily praise; oleaginous hypocrisy; smarmy self-importance.
unctuous
Adjective
pretending to be kind and concerned but obviously not sincere [Latin unctum ointment]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.unctuousunctuous - unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech; "buttery praise"; "gave him a fulsome introduction"; "an oily sycophantic press agent"; "oleaginous hypocrisy"; "smarmy self-importance"; "the unctuous Uriah Heep"; "soapy compliments"
buttery, fulsome, oleaginous, smarmy, soapy, oily
insincere - lacking sincerity; "a charming but thoroughly insincere woman"; "their praise was extravagant and insincere"
Translations
unctuous [ˈʌŋktjuəs] adj → onctueux/euse, mielleux/euse
unctuous [ˈʌŋktjuəs] (form) adj [person, behaviour] → salbungsvoll
unctuous [ˈʌŋktjuəs] adj → untuoso/a


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
Regarding the Sperm whale's head as a solid oblong, you may, on an inclined plane, sideways divide it into two quoins, whereof the lower is the bony structure, forming the cranium and jaws, and the upper an unctuous mass wholly free from bones; its broad forward end forming the expanded vertical apparent forehead of the whale.
Moby Dick LXVIII-CXXXIV by Melville, Herman View in context
It is not, perhaps, entirely because the whale is so excessively unctuous that landsmen seem to regard the eating of him with abhorrence; that appears to result, in some way, from the consideration before mentioned: i.
Moby Dick I-LXVII by Melville, Herman View in context
I have no doubt in the world that you are doing well in that greasy Flanders; living probably on the fat of the unctuous land; sitting like a black-haired, tawny-skinned, long-nosed Israelite by the flesh-pots of Egypt; or like a rascally son of Levi near the brass cauldrons of the sanctuary, and every now and then plunging in a consecrated hook, and drawing out of the sea, of broth the fattest of heave-shoulders and the fleshiest of wave-breasts.
The Professor by Bronte, Charlotte View in context
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