Main Entry:

anoint

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈnȯint\

Function:

transitive verb

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French enoint, past participle of enoindre, from Latin inunguere, from in- + unguere to smear — more at ointment

Date:

14th century

1: to smear or rub with oil or an oily substance2 a: to apply oil to as a sacred rite especially for consecration b: to choose by or as if by divine election ; also : to designate as if by a ritual anointment <critics anointed the author as the bright new talent>

— anoint·er noun

— anoint·ment \-mənt\ noun