adj. 1. Softening and soothing, especially to the skin. 2. Making less harsh or abrasive; mollifying: the emollient approach of a diplomatic mediator. n. 1. An agent that softens or soothes the skin. 2. An agent that assuages or mollifies. [Latin ēmolliēns, ēmollient-, present participle of ēmollīre, to soften : ē-, ex-, intensive pref.; see EX- + mollīre, to soften (from mollis, soft; see mel-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] |
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