ˈəŋ(k)shən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English unctioun, unccioun, from Latin unction-, unctio act of anointing, from unctus (past participle of unguere to anoint, smear) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at ointment
1.
a. : the act of anointing that is a symbol of consecration
this act of unction , not the act of crowning, which is the essential feature of a coronation — H.V.Morton
b.
(1) : the anointing of the sick with oil that is a religious rite of healing
(2) often capitalized : the seventh and last sacrament of the Eastern Orthodox Church — compare extreme unction , holy unction
2. : a benign spiritual influence
all human systems based on material premises are minus the unction of divine Science — Mary B. Eddy
3.
a. : the application of a soothing or lubricating oil or ointment
b. : something that is used for anointing : ointment , unguent
bought an unction of a mountebank — Shakespeare
c. : something that soothes or eases
lay not that flattering unction to your soul — Shakespeare
4.
a. : religious or spiritual fervor or the expression (as in language or manner) of such fervor
was always a powerful preacher; but oh, the unction of the discourse this morning — George Borrow
b. : exaggerated, assumed, or superficial earnestness of language or manner : unctuousness
students like polemics, but they detest preachment and they loathe unction — H.N.Fairchild
c. : an earnest and sympathetic absorption in something one is acting, doing, or speaking
an intelligent, not very original man — but doing his work with pleasant unction — O.W.Holmes †1935