unction

[ uhngk-shuhn ]

noun

1. an act of anointing, especially as a medical treatment or religious rite.
2. an unguent or ointment; salve.
3. something soothing or comforting.
4. an excessive, affected, sometimes cloying earnestness or fervor in manner, especially in speaking.
5. Religion.
   1. the oil used in religious rites, as in anointing the sick or dying.
   2. the shedding of a divine or spiritual influence upon a person.
   3. the influence shed.
   4. extreme unction.
6. the manifestation of spiritual or religious inspiration.

unction

/ ˈʌŋkʃən /

noun

1. RC Church Eastern Churches the act of anointing with oil in sacramental ceremonies, in the conferring of holy orders
2. excessive suavity or affected charm
3. an ointment or unguent
4. anything soothing or comforting

Derived Forms

• ˈunctionless, adjective

Other Words From

• unction·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of unction¹

1350–1400; Middle English unctioun < Latin ūnctiōn (stem of ūnctiō ) anointing, besmearing, equivalent to ūnct ( us ) (past participle of ung ( u ) ere to smear, anoint) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of unction¹

C14: from Latin unctiō an anointing, from ungere to anoint; see unguent

Example Sentences

Rather late that evening we administered extreme unction to him, for otherwise he was sufficiently prepared for it.

From Project Gutenberg

Chet was reading his lines with much unction while striding up and down Lauras pretty little room.

From Project Gutenberg

By spirituality and unction he redeemed a scarcely agreeable exterior.

From Project Gutenberg

The priest may be obliged to administer baptism, to hear confession, to give the Viaticum and Extreme Unction.

From Project Gutenberg

The ‘test’ he generally adopted was that of ‘swimming,’ which James I. recommends with much unction in his ‘Demonologie.’

From Project Gutenberg