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Webster 1913 Edition


Unction

Unc′tion

,
Noun.
[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.
Shakespeare
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.]

Webster 1828 Edition


Unction

UNC'TION

,
Noun.
[L. unctio, from ungo, to anoint.]
1.
The act of anointing.
2.
Unguent; ointment. [Unusual.]
3.
The act of anointing medically; as mercurial unction.
4.
Any thing softening or lenitive.
5.
That which excites piety and devotion.
6.
Richness of gracious affections.
7.
Divine or sanctifying grace. 1John 1.
Extreme unction, the rite of anointing in the last hours; or the application of sacred oil to the parts where the five senses reside.

Definition 2024


unction

unction

English

Noun

unction (plural unctions)

  1. a salve or ointment
    • Dryden
      The king himself the sacred unction made.
  2. a religious or ceremonial anointing
    • Milton
      To be heir, and to be king / By sacred unction, thy deserved right.
  3. a balm or something that soothes
  4. a smug, exaggerated use of language; smarminess
  5. divine or sanctifying grace

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