Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “unguent” come from?

unguent (English) comes from Latin unguentum, from Latin unguen, from Latin unguō, from Proto-Italic ongʷō, from Proto-Indo-European h₃engʷ- — to smear, to anoint.

unguent (English): Any cream containing medicinal ingredients...

Definitions

  1. Any cream containing medicinal ingredients...

Ancestry of “unguent”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinunguentumointment; perfume; unguent
2Latinunguenfat, grease; ointment
3Latinunguō—
4Proto-Italicongʷō—
5Proto-Indo-Europeanh₃engʷ-to smear, to anoint

Words derived from “unguent”

  • unguentous
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₃engʷ- →