unction

unc·tion  (ngkshn)

n.

1. The act of anointing as part of a religious, ceremonial, or healing ritual.

2. An ointment or oil; a salve.

3. Something that serves to soothe; a balm.

4. Affected or exaggerated earnestness, especially in choice and use of language.

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[Middle English, from Latin ncti, nctin-, from nctus, past participle of unguere, to anoint.]

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unction

Noun

1. Chiefly RC & Eastern Churches the act of anointing with oil in sacramental ceremonies

2. oily charm

3. an ointment

4. anything soothing [Latin unguere to anoint]

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Unction of undertakers: a company of undertakers—Lipton, 1970.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	unction - excessive but superficial compliments given with affected charm fulsomeness, smarm compliment - a remark (or act) expressing praise and admiration
	2.	unction - smug self-serving earnestness         smarminess, unctuousness, fulsomeness, oiliness, oleaginousness hypocrisy - insincerity by virtue of pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not really have
	3.	unction - semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation ointment, salve, unguent, balm arnica - an ointment used in treating bruises baby oil - an ointment for babies balsam - an ointment containing a fragrant resin carron oil - an ointment formerly used to treat burns cerate - a hard medicated paste made of lard or oil mixed with wax or resin chrism, chrisom, holy oil, sacramental oil - a consecrated ointment consisting of a mixture of oil and balsam lip balm - a balm applied to the lips mentholated salve - a salve containing menthol mercurial ointment - an ointment containing mercury curative, cure, therapeutic, remedy - a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain zinc ointment - an ointment containing zinc that is used to treat certain skin diseases medical specialty, medicine - the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques lanolin, wool fat, wool grease - a yellow viscous animal oil extracted from wool; a mixture of fatty acids and esters; used in some ointments and cosmetics
	4.	unction - anointing as part of a religious ceremony or healing ritual inunction anointing, anointment - the act of applying oil or an oily liquid religious ceremony, religious ritual - a ceremony having religious meaning