- The definition of anoint means to smear or rub with oil.
An example of anoint is for a priest to baptize a baby with oil.
anoint
transitive verb
- to rub oil or ointment on
- to put oil on in a ceremony of consecration
Origin of anoint
Middle English anointen ; from Old French enoindre ; from Classical Latin inunguere ; from in-, on + unguere, to smear: see unguentRelated Forms:
- anointer
noun
- anointment
noun
anoint
transitive verb
a·noint·ed, a·noint·ing, a·noints- To apply oil, ointment, or a similar substance to.
- To put oil on during a religious ceremony as a sign of sanctification or consecration.
- To choose by or as if by divine intervention.
Origin of anoint
Middle English enointen, from Old French enoint, past participle of enoindre, from Latin inunguere, inūnct- : in-, on; see in–2 + unguere, to smear.Related Forms:
- a·noint′er
noun
- a·noint′ment
noun
anoint
Verb
(third-person singular simple present anoints, present participle anointing, simple past and past participle anointed)
- To smear or rub over with oil or an unctuous substance; also, to spread over, as oil.
- And fragrant oils the stiffened limbs anoint. —Dryden.
- He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. —John ix. 6.
- To apply oil to or to pour oil upon, etc., as a sacred rite, especially for consecration.
- Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his [Aaron's] head and anoint him. —Exod. xxix. 7.
- Anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. —1 Kings xix. 15.
- inunction
- ointment
- unguent
- Anointing of the Sick
- The Lord’s Anointed
Anagrams
- nation
- Tonian
Origin
Old French enoint, past participle of enoindre, from Latin inungere, in + ungere or unguere ("to smear", "to anoint"). See ointment, unguent.
