oleaginous

English

WOTD – 3 February 2009

Etymology

From French oléagineux, from Latin oleāginus (pertaining to olives or olive trees), from olea (the olive fruit and tree).

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˌəʊ.lɪˈædʒ.ɪ.nəs/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˌoʊ.liˈædʒ.ɪ.nəs/
  • (file)

Adjective

oleaginous (comparative more oleaginous, superlative most oleaginous)

  1. Oily, greasy.
  2. (of manner or speech) Falsely or affectedly earnest; persuasively suave.
    The oleaginous salesman convinced me to buy a more expensive car.
    • 2018 May 9, George F. Will, “Trump is no longer the worst person in government”, in The Washington Post:
      The oleaginous Mike Pence, with his talent for toadyism and appetite for obsequiousness, could, Trump knew, become America’s most repulsive public figure.

Synonyms

Translations

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