holy oil
Americannoun
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consecrated oil; chrism.
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(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.
Mr. Henein’s father, who is a Coptic Christian from Egypt, anointed them with holy oil.
From New York Times • Feb. 8, 2024
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
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
BE your head anointed with holy oil, as kings, priests, and prophets were anointed.
From BBC • May 5, 2023
Removing the Western clothing in which the body had been on display, Sheik Hassoun washed the body with special holy oil.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
