■ verb smear or rub with oil, especially as part of a religious ceremony.
↘ceremonially confer office on (a priest or monarch) by ~ing.
↘[often as adjective ~ed ] nominate as successor.
Phrases
Anointing of the Sick (in the Roman Catholic Church) the sacramental ~ing of the ill or infirm with blessed oil; unction.
Derivatives
~er noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. enoint , enoindre , from L. inungere , from in- 'upon' + ungere '~, smear with oil'.