unction — the action of anointing someone with oil or ointment as a religious rite or as a symbol of investiture
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: the action of anointing someone with oil or ointment as a religious rite or as a symbol of investiture
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈʌŋkʃən/
Example Sentences
- The politician's speech was dripping with so much unction that even his own supporters rolled their eyes.
- The priest administered extreme unction to the dying patient.
- Her voice carried such false unction that it sounded like she was auditioning for a soap opera.
unction
NOUN[/ˈʌŋkʃən/]
the action of anointing someone with oil or ointment as a religious rite or as a symbol of investiture
The bishop performed the sacred unction, anointing the dying king's forehead with holy oil.
At the junction, unction serves its holy function!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin unctio, meaning 'anointing' or 'anointing oil,' derived from the verb ungere, meaning 'to anoint' or 'to oil.' The word originated in religious ritual contexts where sacred oils were applied during ceremonial practices, and later developed metaphorical connotations of insincere earnestness or affected solemnity.
Breakdown
unctio (Latin anointing) < ungere (Latin: to anoint, to oil) + -io (noun suffix indicating action or state)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The politician's speech was dripping with so much unction that even his own supporters rolled their eyes.”
“The priest administered extreme unction to the dying patient.”
“Her voice carried such false unction that it sounded like she was auditioning for a soap opera.”
“The ceremony of unction has been practiced in Christianity for centuries.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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