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 embrokhé ‘lotion’. Latin took this over and in the Middle Ages formed a verb from it, embrocāre ‘treat 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.
双语例句
1. A bit of embrocation will soothe your bruised knee.
