UNCTION

unction, inunction

(noun) anointing as part of a religious ceremony or healing ritual

ointment, unction, unguent, balm, salve

(noun) semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation

fulsomeness, oiliness, oleaginousness, smarminess, unctuousness, unction

(noun) smug self-serving earnestness

unction, smarm, fulsomeness

(noun) excessive but superficial compliments given with affected charm

Source: WordNet® 3.1

---

Etymology

Noun

unction (countable and uncountable, plural unctions)

A salve or ointment.

A religious or ceremonial anointing.

A balm or something that soothes.

A quality in language, address or delivery which expresses sober and fervent emotion.

A smug, exaggerated use of language; smarminess.

Divine or sanctifying grace.

Anagrams

• count in, countin'

Source: Wiktionary

---

Unc"tion, n. Etym: [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. To be heir, and to be king By sacred unction, thy deserved right. Milton.

2. That which is used for anointing; an unguent; an ointment; hence, anything soothing or lenitive. The king himself the sacred unction made. Dryden. Lay not that flattering unction to your soul. Shak.

3. Divine or sanctifying grace. [R.]

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. Hazlitt. The mention of thy glory Is unction to the breast. Neale (Rhythm of St. Bernard). 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.]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

---

Do you know this game?

Wordscapes is a popular word game consistently in the top charts of both Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The Android version has more than 10 million installs. This guide will help you get more coins in less than two minutes of playing the game. Continue reading Wordscapes: Get More Coins