Wiktionary

anoint

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Middle English enointen, anointen, borrowed from Old French enoint, past participle of enoindre (“to anoint”). Doublet of inunct.

Pronunciation

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Verb

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anoint (third-person singular simple present anoints, present participle anointing, simple past and past participle anointed)

  1. (transitive) To smear or rub over with oil or an unctuous substance; also, to spread over, as oil.
    Synonyms: salve, pomade, pomate, pomatum (obsolete or historical)
  2. (transitive) To apply oil to or to pour oil upon, etc., as a sacred rite, especially for consecration.
    Synonym: salve
  3. (transitive, figuratively) To choose or nominate somebody for a leading or otherwise important position, especially formally or officially, or as an intended successor.
    • 2024 March 16, Antonia Cundy, “The Opus Dei diaries”, in FT Weekend, page 18:
      Unlike other previous Prelates, who were swiftly anointed bishops, Francis did not follow suit. Ocáriz remained a Monsignor. In the eyes of many observers, it was a demotion of Opus Dei.
  4. (transitive, historical) To mark somebody as an official ruler, especially a king or queen, as a part of a religious ceremony.

Derived terms

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English terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₃engʷ-‎ (0 c, 9 e)

Translations

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Further reading

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Anagrams

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