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.
雙語例句
1. He made an unctuous assurance.
他做了個虛請假意的承諾.
來自《簡明英漢詞典》
2. He speaks in unctuous tones.
他說話油腔滑調(diào).
來自《簡明英漢詞典》
3. Goose fat gives the most unctuous flavour but you can use chicken fat.
鵝油最肥美，不過你也可以用雞油。
來自柯林斯例句
4. It was unctuous, false, and unwholesome, like the man.
他的口氣是油滑的, 虛偽的, 討厭的, 就象他那個人.
來自辭典例句
5. An unctuous clergyman who had not known Sam intoned religious platitudes.