I. ˈkrizəm noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English crisme, from Old English crisma, from Late Latin chrisma, from Greek, ointment, from chriein to anoint; akin to Old English grēot sand — more at grit
1.
a. : consecrated oil that is generally mixed with balm or balm and spices and used by some liturgical churches in the administration of certain sacraments (as baptism, confirmation, or ordination) and sometimes in other ceremonies (as the consecration of churches or altars)
b. : ointment , unguent
2.
a. : a sacramental anointing : unction
b. usually capitalized : a sacrament of the Eastern Orthodox Church corresponding to confirmation in the Western Church
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
obsolete : to anoint with chrism