Unction
Unction , noun
[Old English unccioun, uncioun, Old French oncion, onction, French onction, from Latin unctio, from 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.
To be heir, and to be king
By sacred unction, thy deserved right.
2.
That which is used for anointing; an unguent; an ointment; hence, anything soothing or lenitive.
The king himself the sacred unction made.
Lay not that flattering unction to your soul.
3.
Divine or sanctifying grace. [Rare]
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.
The delightful equivoque and unction of the passage in Farquhar.
The mention of thy glory
Is unction to the breast.
Collocations (1)
Extreme unction (Roman Catholic Church & Greek 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.]