Borrowed fromLatinunctiō.
unction (countable anduncountable,pluralunctions)
- Anointment orsalve.
c.1678 (date written; published1682),J[ohn] Dryden, “Mac Flecknoe”, inMac Flecknoe: A Poem. […] With Spencer’s Ghost: Being a Satyr Concerning Poetry. […], London: […] H[enry] Hills, […], published1709,→OCLC,page 6:The King himſelf the ſacredUnction made, / As King by Office, and as Prieſt by Trade:[…]
- Areligious orceremonialanointing.
1667,John Milton, “Book VI”, inParadise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […];[a]nd by Robert Boulter […];[a]nd Matthias Walker, […],→OCLC; republished asParadise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […],1873,→OCLC:To be heir, and to be king / By sacredunction, thy deserved right.
- Abalm or something thatsoothes.
- A quality in language, address or delivery which expresses sober and fervent emotion.
1938, Norman Lindsay, chapter XXI, inAge of Consent, London:T[homas] Werner Laurie […],→OCLC,page223:"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 withunction.
- Unctuousness: Asmug,exaggerated use oflanguage;smarminess.
- Divine orsanctifyinggrace.
religious or ceremonial anointing
balm or something that soothes
unction (pluralunctions)
- auction
