Word of the Day for Monday August 29, 2005 unctuous \UNGK-choo-us\, adjective: 1. Of the nature or quality of an unguent or ointment; fatty; oily; greasy. 2. Having a smooth, greasy feel, as certain minerals. 3. Insincerely or excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech; marked by a false or smug earnestness or agreeableness. A warmed, crusty French roll arrives split, lightly smeared with unctuous chopped liver. --John Kessler, "Meals To Go: Break from the routine with Hong," [1]Atlanta Journal-Constitution, October 22, 1998 She recalled being offended by the "phoniness" that stemmed from the contradiction between her mother's charming, even unctuous public manner and her anger in private. --Daniel Horowitz, [2]Betty Friedan And the Making of 'The Feminine Mystique' He approached Sean wearing a smile so unctuous it seemed about to slide right off his face. --Naeem Murr, [3]The Boy _________________________________________________________ Unctuous is from Medieval Latin unctuosus, from Latin unctus, "anointed, besmeared, greasy," past participle of unguere, "to anoint, to besmear." References 1. http://www.ajc.com/ 2. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1558492763/ref=nosim/lexico 3. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0395957907/ref=nosim/lexico Dictionary.com Entry and Pronunciation http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=9&q=unctuous