pomatum

English

Etymology

From Medieval Latin pomatum (“cider, ointment”), from Latin pōmum (“fruit, apple”) + -ātum (“-ate: forming nouns”). Doublet of pomate, pomade, and pomace.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /pəˈmɑdəm/, /pəˈmeɪdəm/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /pəʊˈmeɪtəm/, /pəˈmeɪtəm/

Noun

pomatum (countable and uncountable, plural pomatums)

1. (uncommon, historical) Synonym of ointment, particularly thick waxy ointments scented with fruit used to beautify the skin or hair.
   • 1597, John Gerard, The Herball..., volume III, page 1276:

     There is likewise made an ointment with the pulpe of Apples and Swines grease and Rose water, which is vsed to beautifie the face... called in shops Pomatum, of the Apples whereof it is made.

   • 1657, William Coles, Adam in Eden..., page 258:

     Pomatum, which is of much use to soften and supple the roughnesse of the skin.

2. (uncommon) Synonym of pomade, a kind of thick waxy hair product used as a styling gel.
   • 1766, [Oliver Goldsmith], chapter 4, in The Vicar of Wakefield: […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), Salisbury, Wiltshire: […] B. Collins, for F[rancis] Newbery, […], →OCLC:

     [W]hen we were to assemble in the morning at breakfast, down came my wife and daughters, drest out in all their former splendour: their hair plaistered up with pomatum, their faces patched to taste, their trains bundled up into an heap behind, and rustling at every motion.

   • 1829, [Edward Bulwer-Lytton], chapter V, in Devereux. A Tale. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC:

     On a huge tomb-like table in the middle of the room, lay two pencilled profiles of Mr. Fielding […] ; to these were added a cracked pomatum-pot containing ink, and a scrap of paper, […]

3. (uncommon, obsolete) Synonym of cider, a soft or hard drink made from apples.

Derived terms

• pomatum mask
• pomatum pot
• pomatumy

 

Verb

pomatum (third-person singular simple present pomatums, present participle pomatuming, simple past and past participle pomatumed)

1. (transitive, uncommon) Synonym of pomade: to apply pomade.
2. (transitive, uncommon, obsolete or historical) Synonym of anoint: to apply ointment.

References

• “pomatum, n.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, 2022.
• “pomatum, v.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, 2022.
• “pomatumed, adj.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, 2022.
• “pomatum”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.