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
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.
• 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
25 June 2024
(noun) any of a group of hard glassy minerals (silicates of various metals) used as gemstones and as an abrasive
International Coffee Day (September 29) is an occasion to promote and celebrate coffee as a beverage, with events occurring in places across the world. A day to promote fair trade coffee and raise awareness for the coffee growers’ plight. Other countries celebrate this event on October 1.
