holy oil

American

noun

consecrated oil; chrism.
(especially in the Eastern Church) oil that has been in contact with a sacred object, as a relic, and is used in certain rites.

Etymology

Origin of holy oil

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

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.

In her post, Ms. Stolik struck a defiant tone befitting the holiday, which commemorates the miraculous eight-day preservation of holy oil for the menorah in the Second Temple of Jerusalem amid the 167-160 B.C.

From Washington Times • Dec. 8, 2023

For the religious, it was the most sacred moment of the ceremony, the anointing of the king with holy oil.

From New York Times • May 6, 2023

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will pour holy oil from an eagle-shaped ampulla, or flask, then rub it on the king’s hands, chest and head.

From Seattle Times • May 6, 2023

After that, the king is marked with holy oil by the archbishop.

From NewsForKids.net • May 4, 2023

I saw the priest from town come, and he rubbed the holy oil at my feet and prayed.

From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023