'Unction' definitions:
Definition of 'unction'
From: WordNet
noun
Excessive but superficial compliments given with affected charm [syn: unction, smarm, fulsomeness]
noun
Smug self-serving earnestness [syn: fulsomeness, oiliness, oleaginousness, smarminess, unctuousness, unction]
noun
Semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation [syn: ointment, unction, unguent, balm, salve]
noun
Anointing as part of a religious ceremony or healing ritual [syn: unction, inunction]
Definition of 'Unction'
From: GCIDE
- Unction \Unc"tion\, n. [OE. unccioun, uncioun, OF. oncion, onction, F. onction, fr. L. unctio, fr. ungere, unctum, to anoint. See Unguent.]
- 1. The act of anointing, smearing, or rubbing with an unguent, oil, or ointment, especially for medical purposes, or as a symbol of consecration; as, mercurial unction. [1913 Webster]
- To be heir, and to be king By sacred unction, thy deserved right. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- 2. That which is used for anointing; an unguent; an ointment; hence, anything soothing or lenitive. [1913 Webster]
- The king himself the sacred unction made. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
- Lay not that flattering unction to your soul. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 3. Divine or sanctifying grace. [R.] [1913 Webster]
- 4. That quality in language, address, or the like, which excites emotion; especially, strong devotion; religious fervor and tenderness; sometimes, a simulated, factitious, or unnatural fervor. [1913 Webster]
- The delightful equivoque and unction of the passage in Farquhar. --Hazlitt. [1913 Webster]
- The mention of thy glory Is unction to the breast. --Neale (Rhythm of St. Bernard). [1913 Webster]
- Extreme unction (R. C. Ch. & Gr. Ch.), the sacrament of anointing in the last hours; the application of consecrated oil by a priest to all the senses, that is, to eyes, ears, nostrils, etc., of a person when in danger of death from illness, -- done for remission of sins. [James v. 14, 15.] [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Unction'
From: Easton
- Unction (1 John 2:20,27; R.V., "anointing"). Kings, prophets, and priests were anointed, in token of receiving divine grace. All believers are, in a secondary sense, what Christ was in a primary sense, "the Lord's anointed."
Synonyms of 'unction'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- affectation,
- anointment,
- balm,
- balsam,
- brilliantine,
- cant,
- cerate,
- chrism,
- chrismal,
- chrismation,
- chrismatory,
- chrisom,
- cold cream,
- collyrium,
- cream,
- demulcent,
- embrocation,
- emollient,
- extreme unction,
- eye-lotion,
- eyewash,
- eyewater,
- face cream,
- false piety,
- falseness,
- flattering tongue,
- goody-goodiness,
- greasing,
- gush,
- hand lotion,
- hypocrisy,
- insincerity,
- inunction,
- inunctum,
- lanolin,
- last rites,
- lenitive,
- liniment,
- lotion,
- lubricating,
- lubrication,
- lubrification,
- mealymouthedness,
- mummery,
- nard,
- oil,
- oiliness,
- oiling,
- ointment,
- pharisaicalness,
- pharisaism,
- pietism,
- pietisticalness,
- piety,
- piousness,
- pomade,
- pomatum,
- religionism,
- religiosity,
- sacramental anointment,
- sacred unction,
- salve,
- sanctimoniousness,
- sanctimony,
- self-righteousness,
- slobber,
- smarm,
- snivel,
- snuffle,
- soothing syrup,
- spikenard,
- Tartuffery,
- Tartuffism,
- that flattering unction,
- unctuousness,
- unguent,
- unguentum,
- viaticum,
- vulnerary