Unction

Unction
Unction Unc"tion, n. [OE. unccioun, uncioun, OF. oncion, onction, F. onction, fr. L. unctio, fr. ungere, unctum, to anoint. See {Unguent}.] 1. The act of anointing, smearing, or rubbing with an unguent, oil, or ointment, especially for medical purposes, or as a symbol of consecration; as, mercurial unction. [1913 Webster]

To be heir, and to be king By sacred unction, thy deserved right. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

2. That which is used for anointing; an unguent; an ointment; hence, anything soothing or lenitive. [1913 Webster]

The king himself the sacred unction made. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

Lay not that flattering unction to your soul. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. Divine or sanctifying grace. [R.] [1913 Webster]

4. That quality in language, address, or the like, which excites emotion; especially, strong devotion; religious fervor and tenderness; sometimes, a simulated, factitious, or unnatural fervor. [1913 Webster]

The delightful equivoque and unction of the passage in Farquhar. --Hazlitt. [1913 Webster]

The mention of thy glory Is unction to the breast. --Neale (Rhythm of St. Bernard). [1913 Webster]

{Extreme unction} (R. C. Ch. & Gr. Ch.), the sacrament of anointing in the last hours; the application of consecrated oil by a priest to all the senses, that is, to eyes, ears, nostrils, etc., of a person when in danger of death from illness, -- done for remission of sins. [James v. 14, 15.] [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Unction — (v. lat.), Salbung, Heiligung. Unctores, Sklaven der Römer, welche in den Bädern die Herren salbten; auch so v.w. Aliptä. Unctuarium (Unctorium), das Salbzimmer in Bädern, s.u. Bad III …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • unction — (n.) late 14c., act of anointing as a religious rite, from L. unctionem (nom. unctio) anointing, from unctus, pp. of ungere to anoint (see UNGUENT (Cf. unguent)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • unction — ► NOUN 1) formal the anointing of someone with oil or ointment as a religious rite or as a symbol of investiture as a monarch. 2) excessive or ingratiating politeness or effusiveness. ORIGIN Latin, from unguere anoint …   English terms dictionary

  • unction — [uŋk′shən] n. [ME unccioun < L unctio < ungere, to anoint: see UNGUENT] 1. a) the act of anointing, as in medical treatment or a religious ceremony b) the oil, ointment, etc. used for this 2. anything that soothes or comforts 3 …   English World dictionary

  • unction — n. (rel.) 1) to give unction 2) to receive unction 3) Extreme Unction USAGE NOTE: The term Anointing of the Sick is now preferred to Extreme Unction. * * * [ ʌŋkʃ(ə)n] (rel.) to give unction to receive unction Extreme Unction (USAGE NOTE: The… …   Combinatory dictionary

  • unction — Synonyms and related words: Tartuffery, Tartuffism, affectation, anointment, balm, balsam, brilliantine, cant, cerate, chrism, chrismal, chrismation, chrismatory, chrisom, cold cream, collyrium, cream, demulcent, embrocation, emollient, extreme… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • unction — unctionless, adj. /ungk sheuhn/, n. 1. an act of anointing, esp. as a medical treatment or religious rite. 2. an unguent or ointment; salve. 3. something soothing or comforting. 4. an excessive, affected, sometimes cloying earnestness or fervor… …   Universalium

  • unction — noun Etymology: Middle English unccioun, from Anglo French, from Latin unction , unctio, from unguere to anoint more at ointment Date: 14th century 1. the act of anointing as a rite of consecration or healing 2. something used for anointing ;… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • unction — noun a) a salve or ointment b) a religious or ceremonial anointing See Also: extreme unction, Anointing of the Sick …   Wiktionary

  • unction — unc|tion [ ʌŋkʃən ] noun uncount extreme unction a ceremony in the Catholic Church for someone who is dying. The priest puts special oil on the sick person s head while praying for them …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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