Anoint

//əˈnɔɪnt// verb

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To smear or rub over with oil or an unctuous substance; also, to spread over, as oil. transitive

    "He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay."

  2. 2
    administer an oil or ointment to; often in a religious ceremony of blessing wordnet
  3. 3
    To apply oil to or to pour oil upon, etc., as a sacred rite, especially for consecration. transitive

    "Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his [Aaron's] head and anoint him."

  4. 4
    choose by or as if by divine intervention wordnet
  5. 5
    To choose or nominate somebody for a leading or otherwise important position, especially formally or officially, or as an intended successor. figuratively, transitive

    "Unlike other previous Prelates, who were swiftly anointed bishops, Francis did not follow suit. Ocáriz remained a Monsignor. In the eyes of many observers, it was a demotion of Opus Dei."

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  1. 6
    To mark somebody as an official ruler, especially a king or queen, as a part of a religious ceremony. historical, transitive

Etymology

From Middle English enointen, anointen, borrowed from Old French enoint, past participle of enoindre (“to anoint”). Doublet of inunct.

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