unction

unction Definition

unc·tion (uŋk′s̸hən)

noun

1. the act of anointing, as in medical treatment or a religious ceremony
2. the oil, ointment, etc. used for this
anything that soothes or comforts
1. a fervent or earnest quality or manner of speaking or behaving, esp. in dealing with religious matters
2. pretended or affected fervor or earnestness in speech or manner; unctuous quality

Etymology: ME unccioun < L unctio < ungere, to anoint: see unguent

unction Synonyms

unction Usage Examples

Converse of object

have: But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
receive: Punctuality will be a witness, giving power and receiving unction whenever we speak the word concerning our Lord.
administer: The infirmarer judged when it was necessary to administer unction, after which the community departed, leaving the monk to die alone.
give: God so experimentally in the believer gives the unction to prayer and faith and every activity to which the believer is called.

Adjective modifier

extreme: Even extreme unction has its basis in the Egyptian Ritual.
spiritual: As an ambassador of Christ, he preached the wondrous mercy of God with a spiritual unction and solemn earnestness.

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