unction

American  

[uhngk-shuhn] / ˈʌŋk ʃən /

noun

1. an act of anointing, especially as a medical treatment or religious rite.

2. an unguent or ointment; salve.

3. something soothing or comforting.

4. an excessive, affected, sometimes cloying earnestness or fervor in manner, especially in speaking.

5. Religion.

   1. the oil used in religious rites, as in anointing the sick or dying.

   2. the shedding of a divine or spiritual influence upon a person.

   3. the influence shed.

   4. extreme unction.

6. the manifestation of spiritual or religious inspiration.

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unction British  

/ ˈʌŋkʃən /

noun

1. RC Church Eastern Churches the act of anointing with oil in sacramental ceremonies, in the conferring of holy orders

2. excessive suavity or affected charm

3. an ointment or unguent

4. anything soothing or comforting

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Other Word Forms

• unctionless adjective

Etymology

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

Explanation

Unction is a specially-prepared substance meant to bless or heal — the use of special oils in a religious ceremony or the medicine you might put on your chest if you are congested. Unction refers to a religious leader placing special oils, usually on the forehead, of people during a ceremony of healing or blessing. Another meaning of unction describes people who are very pleased with their own good works, maybe even bragging about all the people they help at the homeless shelter or soup kitchen. This kind of unction is also called oily, almost like these smug people are oozing self-centeredness.

Example Sentences

They are the unction by which mere deeds become noble.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

Over the years, he proposed his own nouns of multitude, including an unction of undertakers, a shrivel of critics and a queue of actors.

From Washington Post • Mar. 2, 2020

The role not only artfully transmuted Morgan’s persona but also used the unique unction of his performance to comment on the entanglement of race and comedy.

From The New Yorker • May 6, 2019

On Wednesday, she came to the church to be anointed with oil in the sacrament of holy unction and to pick up a cotton ball for her ailing father and her daughter.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2016

Ben bathed in the unction of his shouted name.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy