unction
[ uhngk-shuh n ]
/ ˈʌŋk ʃən /
noun
an act of anointing, especially as a medical treatment or religious rite.
an unguent or ointment; salve.
something soothing or comforting.
an excessive, affected, sometimes cloying earnestness or fervor in manner, especially in speaking.
Religion.
- the oil used in religious rites, as in anointing the sick or dying.
- the shedding of a divine or spiritual influence upon a person.
- the influence shed.
- extreme unction.
the manifestation of spiritual or religious inspiration.
QUIZZES
CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"
"Little Women" may be a classic, but that doesn't mean we all know the meanings of the vocab words from the book. Can you define these words correctly and make Jo proud?
Question 1 of 10
earnest
Origin of unction
1350–1400; Middle English unctioun < Latin ūnctiōn (stem of ūnctiō) anointing, besmearing, equivalent to ūnct(us) (past participle of ung(u)ere to smear, anoint) + -iōn- -ion
OTHER WORDS FROM unction
unc·tion·less, adjectiveWords nearby unction
uncrossed, uncrowded, uncrown, uncrowned, unctad, unction, unctuarium, unctuous, uncultivated, unculture, uncultured
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for unction
British Dictionary definitions for unction
unction
/ (ˈʌŋkʃən) /
noun
mainly RC Church Eastern Churches the act of anointing with oil in sacramental ceremonies, in the conferring of holy orders
excessive suavity or affected charm
an ointment or unguent
anything soothing or comforting
Derived forms of unction
unctionless, adjectiveWord Origin for unction
C14: from Latin unctiō an anointing, from ungere to anoint; see unguent
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for unction
unction
[ ŭngk′shən ]
n.
The action of applying or rubbing with an ointment or oil.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.