Definition of unction Unction

unc•tion

We found 15 definitions of unction from 6 different sources.

What does unction mean?

WordNet

Noun Plural: unctions
unction - anointing as part of a religious ceremony or healing ritual
		inunction
		anointing, anointment the act of applying oil or an oily liquid
		religious ceremony, religious ritual a ceremony having religious meaning
unction - excessive but superficial compliments given with affected charm
		smarm, fulsomeness
		compliment a remark (or act) expressing praise and admiration
unction - semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation
		ointment, unguent, balm, salve
		curative, cure, therapeutic, remedy a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain
		medical specialty, medicine the learned profession that is mastered by graduate training in a medical school and that is devoted to preventing or alleviating or curing diseases and injuries; "he studied medicine at Harvard"
		arnica an ointment used in treating bruises
		baby oil an ointment for babies
		balsam an ointment containing a fragrant resin
		carron oil an ointment formerly used to treat burns
		cerate a hard medicated paste made of lard or oil mixed with wax or resin
		chrism, chrisom, holy oil, sacramental oil a consecrated ointment consisting of a mixture of oil and balsam
		lip balm a balm applied to the lips
		mentholated salve a salve containing menthol
		mercurial ointment an ointment containing mercury
		zinc ointment an ointment containing zinc that is used to treat certain skin diseases
unction - smug self-serving earnestness
		fulsomeness, oiliness, oleaginousness, smarminess, unctuousness
		hypocrisy insincerity by virtue of pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not really have

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Wiktionary

unction (Noun)
A salve or ointment.
unction (Noun)
A religious or ceremonial anointing.
unction (Noun)
A balm or something that soothes.
unction (Noun)
A smug, exaggerated use of language; smarminess.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

unction (n.)
The act of anointing, smearing, or rubbing with an unguent, oil, or ointment, especially for medical purposes, or as a symbol of consecration; as, mercurial unction.
unction (n.)
That which is used for anointing; an unguent; an ointment; hence, anything soothing or lenitive.
unction (n.)
Divine or sanctifying grace.
unction (n.)
That quality in language, address, or the like, which excites emotion; especially, strong devotion; religious fervor and tenderness; sometimes, a simulated, factitious, or unnatural fervor.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

unction
A semisolid preparation intended for external application to the skin or mucous membranes. (source: UMLS)

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

unction
ungk′shun, n. an anointing: that which is used for anointing: ointment: that quality in language which raises emotion or devotion: warmth of address: divine or sanctifying grace.—n. Unctūos′ity, state or quality of being unctuous: oiliness: greasiness.—adj. Unc′tūous, oily: greasy.—adv. Unc′tūously.—n. Unc′tūousness, unctuosity.—Extreme unction (R.C. Church), the sacrament of anointing persons with consecrated oil in their last hours. [L. unctio—unguĕre, unctum, to anoint.]