chrism
[kriz-uh m]
- 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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Also chrisom.
Origin of chrism
before 900; learned respelling of Middle English crisme, Old English crisma < Latin chrīsma < Greek chrîsma unguent, unction
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
ointmentpastejellyoilsalvelotionunguentcreamchrismunctionlinimentcosmeticessencedemulcentcerateemulsionmoisturizerExamples from the Web for chrism
Historical Examples
Anoint me with the chrism of spontaneity that I may be ever worthy of thee.
The Book of KhalidAmeen Rihani
And while the chrism is used they chant, 'See the smell of my son is as the smell of a field.'
Churches and Church OrnamentsWilliam Durandus
Lastly, he anointeth with chrism the twelve crosses depicted on the wall.
Churches and Church OrnamentsWilliam Durandus
For Philip, when he baptised the eunuch, had neither oil nor chrism.
Churches and Church OrnamentsWilliam Durandus
Jerry lived under the daily chrism of that soft well-wishing.
Old CrowAlice Brown
chrism
chrisom
- a mixture of olive oil and balsam used for sacramental anointing in the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches
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Word Origin
Old English crisma, from Medieval Latin, from Greek khrisma unction, from khriein to anoint
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for chrism
n.
"oil mingled with balm," Old English chrisma, from Church Latin chrisma, from Greek khrisma "an unguent, anointing, unction," from khriein "to anoint," from PIE root *ghrei- "to rub" (cf. Lithuanian griejù "to skim the cream off"). Chrisom "baptismal robe," is a c.1200 variant of this. Related: Chrismal; chrismatory.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper