unction

unc•tion n.

an act of anointing, esp. as a medical treatment or religious rite.
an unguent or ointment;
salve.
something soothing or comforting.
an excessive, affected, sometimes cloying earnestness or fervor in manner, esp. in speaking.
[Relig.]
- the oil used in religious rites, as in anointing the sick or dying.
- the shedding of a divine or spiritual influence upon a person.
- the influence shed.
- See extreme unction.
the manifestation of spiritual or religious inspiration.

Latin ūnctiōn (stem of ūnctiō) anointing, besmearing, equivalent. to ūnct(us) (past participle of ung(u)ere to smear, anoint) + -iōn- -ion
Middle English unctioun 1350–1400

unc′tion•less, adj.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

unction /ˈʌŋkʃən/ n

chiefly the act of anointing with oil in sacramental ceremonies, in the conferring of holy orders
excessive suavity or affected charm
an ointment or unguent
anything soothing or comforting

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin unctiō an anointing, from ungere to anoint; see unguentˈunctionless adj

'unction' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

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