UNCTION • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Unction

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noun

Unction n.

1.

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. "To be heir, and to be king By sacred unction, thy deserved right."

2.

That which is used for anointing; an unguent; an ointment; hence, anything soothing or lenitive. "The king himself the sacred unction made." "Lay not that flattering unction to your soul."

3.

Divine or sanctifying grace. (R.)

4.

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. "The delightful equivoque and unction of the passage in Farquhar." "The mention of thy glory Is unction to the breast."

Extreme unction (R. C. Ch. & Gr. Ch.), the sacrament of anointing in the last hours; the application of consecrated oil by a priest to all the senses, that is, to eyes, ears, nostrils, etc., of a person when in danger of death from illness, done for remission of sins. (James v. 14, 15.)

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Etymology of 'Unction'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Unction" Quotes from Famous Books

... Usually her advice was sensible and judicious—nothing better could be done than to follow it; only her clients complained that she pronounced her sentences with too little tenderness, without granting any appeal. She was good, charitable, but lacked unction, and she had no sympathy with the illusions of others. A German poet, in making his New-Year offerings, wishes that the rich may be kind-hearted, that the poor may have bread, that the ladies may have pretty dresses, that the men may have patience, that the foolish ...

— Samuel Brohl & Company • Victor Cherbuliez

... the last work of Cervantes. The dedication to the Count de Lemos was written the day after he had received extreme unction."—Extract ...

— Notes and Queries, Number 212, November 19, 1853 • Various

... there is a thing I'm true to, it is the Protestant Established Church of England. Some nasty, low, lying, wheedling priest got hold of her, and now she's a nun, and calls herself—Sister Veronica John!" Lady Baldock threw great strength and unction into her description of the priest; but as soon as she had told her story a sudden thought struck her. "Oh, laws! I quite forgot. I beg your pardon, Mr. Finn; but you're one ...

— Phineas Redux • Anthony Trollope

... opine,— But brought to bed at forty-nine. 70 Some say she died a Papist; some Are of opinion that's a Hum; I don't know that—the fellows Schlegel,[83] Are very likely to inveigle A dying person in compunction To try th' extremity of Unction. But peace be with her! for a woman Her talents surely were uncommon, Her Publisher (and Public too) The hour of her demise may rue— 80 For never more within his shop he— Pray—was not she interred at Coppet? Thus run our time and tongues away;— But, ...

— The Works of Lord Byron, Vol. 7. - Poetry • George Gordon Byron

... in his own room," Frank said with shuddering unction, as she told the tale, "and she's ...

— The Madigans • Miriam Michelson

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