[f. LIP sb. + SALVE sb.] Salve or ointment for the lips; an example of this; also fig. flattering speech. attrib. in lipsalve-box.

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1591.  Percivall, Sp. Dict., Cerillas, lip salue, Vnguentum labiorum.

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1627.  E. F., Hist. Edw. II. (1680), 91. One that … taught him not to trust a Woman’s Lip-salve, when that he knew her breast was fill’d with rancour.

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1631.  Brathwait, Eng. Gentlew. (1641), 297. Let not their lip-salve so annoynt you, as it make you forgetfull of him that made you.

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1710.  Steele, Tatler, No. 245, ¶ 2. A Collection of Receipts to make … Pomatums, Lip-Salves.

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1767.  Mrs. Glasse, Cookery, 383. A fine lip salve.

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1806–7.  J. Beresford, Miseries Hum. Life (1826), VI. xxxi. You supply the deficiency of the former with wafers, pocket-pieces, lip-salve-boxes, cut cards, &c.

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1826.  Scott, Jrnl., 13 May. Praise … costs men nothing, and is usually only lip-salve.

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1882.  J. Ashton, Social Life Reign Q. Anne, I. 128. Rose and white lip salves were used as now.

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