English edit

Etymology edit

From unctuous +‎ -ness.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈʌŋkt͡ʃuəsnəs/
  • Hyphenation: unc‧tu‧ous‧ness

Noun edit

unctuousness (uncountable)

  1. The state or characteristic of being unctuous.
    Synonym: unctuosity
    • 1851, Herman Melville, chapter 94, in Moby Dick:
      Plum-pudding is the term bestowed upon certain fragmentary parts of the whale's flesh, here and there adhering to the blanket of blubber, and often participating to a considerable degree in its unctuousness.
    • 1919, Anthony Hope, chapter 17, in The Secret of the Tower:
      Only Mr. Radbolt's unctuousness—surely it would have smoothed the stormiest waves—saved the social situation.

Translations edit