GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found one definition
-
Unction (?), 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]