Definition of "unction"

unction

/ʌŋkʃən/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural unctions
1. An ointment or salve.
  Quotations
  The King himſelf the ſacred Unction made, / As King by Office, and as Prieſt by Trade: […]
  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, page 6
2. A religious or ceremonial anointing.
  Quotations
  To be heir, and to be king / By sacred unction, thy deserved right.
  1667, John Milton, “Book VI”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], […]; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873,
3. A balm or something that soothes.
4. A quality in language, address or delivery which expresses sober and fervent emotion.
  Quotations
  Krook almost smacks his lips with the unction of a horrible interest.
  1852 March – 1853 September, Charles Dickens, chapter XI, in Bleak House, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1853
  "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.
  1938, Norman Lindsay, chapter XXI, in Age of Consent, London: T[homas] Werner Laurie […], page 223
5. A smug, exaggerated use of language; smarminess.
6. Divine or sanctifying grace.

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