embrocation

embrocation
\ \ [15] The semantic notion underlying embrocation is of ‘wetness’, for it comes ultimately from the Greek word for ‘rain’, brokhé. This was the basis of a verb embrékhein, used for ‘treat medically by the application of liquid’, from which in turn was derived the noun embrokhélotion’. Latin took this over and in the Middle Ages formed a verb from it, embrocāretreat with healing liquid’, which was actually borrowed into English as embrocate: ‘In wounds of gun-shot … embrocate often’, John Woodall, Surgion’s Mate 1612. This had died out by the mid 19th century, but its noun, embrocation (used in the concrete sense ‘lotion’ since the 17th century), survives.

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • embrocation — [ ɑ̃brɔkasjɔ̃ ] n. f. • XIVe; lat. médiév. embrocatio, bas lat. embrocha, gr. embrokhê ♦ Application d un liquide huileux et calmant produisant de la chaleur. Ce liquide lui même. ⇒ onguent. Embrocations utilisées pour les massages. Abrév. fam.… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Embrocation — Em bro*ca tion, n. [NL. embrocatio: cf. F. embrocation.] (Med.) (a) The act of moistening and rubbing a diseased part with spirit, oil, etc. (b) The liquid or lotion with which an affected part is rubbed. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Embrocation — (v. gr.), 1) feuchte Bähung; 2) so v.w. Douche …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • embrocation — EMBROCATION. sub. f. Terme de Chirurgie. Espèce d arrosement et de fomentation qu on fait en pressant entre les mains, sur quelque partie malade, une éponge, des etoupes, etc …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • embrocation — ► NOUN ▪ a liquid medication rubbed on the body to relieve pain from sprains and strains. ORIGIN Latin, from Greek embrokh lotion …   English terms dictionary

  • embrocation — [em΄brō kā′shən, em΄brəkā′shən] n. 1. the process of rubbing an oil, etc. on the body 2. a liquid used in this way; liniment, etc …   English World dictionary

  • embrocation — (an bro ka sion) s. f. Terme de médecine. Action de verser lentement et par arrosement un liquide quelconque sur une partie malade. HISTORIQUE    XVIe s. •   Embrocation selon les Grecs, ou irrigation selon les Latins, est un arrousement, quand d …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • embrocation — [15] The semantic notion underlying embrocation is of ‘wetness’, for it comes ultimately from the Greek word for ‘rain’, brokhé. This was the basis of a verb embrékhein, used for ‘treat medically by the application of 191 empire liquid’, from… …   The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins

  • embrocation — noun Etymology: Middle English embrocacioun, from Middle French embrocacion, from Medieval Latin embrocation , embrocatio, from Late Latin embrocare to rub with lotion, from Greek embroche lotion, from en + brechein to wet Date: 15th century… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • embrocation — n British alcoholic drink. A humorous borrowing of the word for rubon liniment, said mainly by the middle aged. ► I think a spot of embrocation might be in order …   Contemporary slang

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