/ ˈʌŋkʃn; NAmE / noun [ U ]
1.
the act of pouring oil on sb's head or another part of their body as part of an important religious ceremony
—see also extreme unction
2.
( formal , disapproving ) behaviour or speech that is not sincere and that expresses too much praise or admiration of sb
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin unctio(n-) , from unguere anoint. Sense 2 arises from the link between religious fervour and “anointing” with the Holy Spirit.