unction

 
Pronunciation: /ˈʌŋ(k)ʃ(ə)n/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1 formal the action of anointing someone with oil or ointment as a religious rite or as a symbol of investiture as a monarch.
  • short for extreme unction.
  • 2 archaic treatment with a medicinal oil or ointment.
  • [count noun] an ointment: mercury in the form of unctions
  • 3a fervent manner of expression apparently arising from deep emotion, especially when assumed: the headlines gloated with the kind of effusive unction only the English press can muster

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin unctio(n-), from unguere 'anoint'. unction (sense 3) arises from the link between religious fervour and ‘anointing’ with the Holy Spirit