unction

Borrowed from Latin unctiō.

• IPA^(key): /ʌŋkʃən/

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• Rhymes: -ʌŋkʃən

unction (countable and uncountable, plural unctions)

1. An ointment or salve.
   • c. 1678 (date written; published 1682)​, J[ohn] Dryden, “Mac Flecknoe”, in Mac Flecknoe: A Poem. […] With Spencer’s Ghost: Being a Satyr Concerning Poetry. […], London: […] H[enry] Hills, […], published 1709, →OCLC, page 6:

     The King himſelf the ſacred Unction made, / As King by Office, and as Prieſt by Trade: […]

2. A religious or ceremonial anointing.
   • 1667, John Milton, “Book VI”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:

     To be heir, and to be king / By sacred unction, thy deserved right.

3. A balm or something that soothes.
4. A quality in language, address or delivery which expresses sober and fervent emotion.
   • 1852 March – 1853 September, Charles Dickens, chapter XI, in Bleak House, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1853, →OCLC:

     Krook almost smacks his lips with the unction of a horrible interest.

   • 1938, Norman Lindsay, chapter XXI, in Age of Consent, London: T[homas] Werner Laurie […], →OCLC, page 223:

     "Well, I'll say this for myself. If there's anything out of order where I'm about, I don't miss it." "I believe you," said Bradly with unction.

5. A smug, exaggerated use of language; smarminess.
6. Divine or sanctifying grace.

• extreme unction

• count in, countin'

unction (plural unctions)

1. auction

• unctioneer