v.
Pronunciation: ə - ' no ̇ int
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French enoint, past participle of enoindre, from Latin inunguere, from in- + unguere to smear ― more at OINTMENT
Date: 14th century
1 : to smear or rub with oil or an oily substance
2 a : to apply oil to as a sacred rite especially for consecration b : to choose by or as if by divine election also : to designate as if by a ritual anointment <critics anoint ed the author as the bright new talent>
– anoint · er noun
– anoint · ment \ -m ə nt \ noun