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anointment

American  
[uh-noint-muhnt] / əˈnɔɪnt mənt /

noun

  • anointments
    plural
  1. an act or instance of anointing or the role or position for which someone is anointed; (often used facetiously instead of appointment).


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Nouns


Explanation

An anointment is the application of oil in a religious ceremony. You don't anoint your pasta with olive oil, anointment is usually performed by a religious leader on a person being blessed. You're most likely to come across the noun anointment in a religious text or discussion. It's a kind of ritual that takes place in many different religions, and it always involves a special substance — most often oil, water, or milk — applied to a person's forehead or another part of the body. Sometimes kings or priests go through an anointment ceremony, for example. The Latin root is inunguere, which means "to anoint or to smear on."

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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Taylor Swift dominated popular culture, with her record-shattering $1 billion concert tour, her anointment as Time magazine’s Person of the Year and her high-profile romance with Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs football star.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 20, 2023

From the religious symbolism of his anointment to the moment when the crown is placed on his head, what are the highlights to look out for during the coronation of King Charles on Saturday?

From Reuters ● May 4, 2023

The King poured anointment water from a conch shell onto Queen Suthida and granted her royal rank and status.

From BBC ● Apr. 27, 2023

“Still Over It” features a small congregation — there is conspiratorial encouragement from Cardi B at the beginning of the album; been-there-hated-that acclamation from SZA and Ari Lennox; and a closing anointment from Ciara.

From New York Times ● Nov. 29, 2021

The anointment is done, and the priest moves on, only the dull feeling of helplessness remains.

From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya

At the once I get a move on and safe within my room make yet again anointments of hair that I may to compose Poem.

From Seven Maids of Far Cathay by Ed. Bing Ding

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