chrism

American  

[kriz-uhm] / ˈkrɪz əm /

noun

1. a consecrated oil, usually mixed with balsam or balsam and spices, used by certainchurches in various rites, as in baptism, confirmation, and the like.

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chrism British  

/ ˈkrɪzməl, ˈkrɪzəm /

noun

1. a mixture of olive oil and balsam used for sacramental anointing in the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches

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Other Word Forms

• chrismal adjective

Etymology

Origin of chrism

before 900; learned respelling of Middle English crisme, Old English crisma < Latin chrīsma < Greek chrîsma unguent, unction

Example Sentences

The "chrism oil" for the coronation was consecrated in a religious ceremony in Jerusalem on Friday.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2023

A Japanese-led mission, XRISM, pronounced chrism, could launch earlier in the year as well.

From New York Times • Jan. 3, 2023

“We don’t believe chrism oil was taken from the church and used to adulterate this statue,” Winder said.

From Washington Post • Jul. 18, 2018

Royal time should move slowly and by its own laws: creeping, like the flow of chrism from a jar.

From The Guardian • Aug. 26, 2017

Taking the chrism on his fingertips, he anointed me, marking the sign of the Cross on the required places, first my forehead, then eyes, nostrils, mouth, ears, breast, hands, and feet.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Related Words

• jelly
• ointment
• paste