31 August 2018
unction
[uhngk-shuh n]
noun
1. an act of anointing, especially as a medical treatment or religious rite.
2. an unguent or ointment; salve.
3. something soothing or comforting.
4. an excessive, affected, sometimes cloying earnestness or fervor in manner, especially in speaking.
5. Religion.
the oil used in religious rites, as in anointing the sick or dying.
the shedding of a divine or spiritual influence upon a person.
the influence shed.
extreme unction.
6. the manifestation of spiritual or religious inspiration.
Origin of unction
Middle English, Latin
1350-1400; Middle English unctioun < Latin ūnctiōn (stem of ūnctiō) anointing, besmearing, equivalent to ūnct(us) (past participle of ung(u)ere to smear, anoint) + -iōn- -ion
Related forms
unctionless, adjective
Dictionary.com
Examples from the Web for unction
Historical Examples
Mr Pancks answered, with an unction which there is no language to convey, ‘We rather think so.’
Little Dorrit
Charles Dickens
Juve pronounced these words with unction, in a solemn voice.
A Nest of Spies
Pierre Souvestre
If she should be able, after receiving absolution and the unction, she—she may see you, monsignor.
The Genius
Margaret Horton Potter
The others found an unction in my words, and that they operated in them what I said.
The Autobiography of Madame Guyon
Jeanne Marie Bouvier de La Motte Guyon
“Well, you boys listen to this,” and the postmaster read the item with unction.
The Rainy Day Railroad War
Holman Day
With what unction the word “men” rolled from Rosalie’s tongue.
Peggy Stewart at School
Gabrielle E. Jackson
For the third time he laughed to himself with depth and unction.
The Eyes of the Woods
Joseph A. Altsheler
No one else can do it with the feeling and unction natural to parents.
Thoughts on Missions
Sheldon Dibble
Even the Cameronians agreed that there was “ unction ” in the Doctor.
The Dew of Their Youth
S. R. Crockett
He adjured Pixie repeatedly, and with unction, to “Buck up!”
The Love Affairs of Pixie
Mrs George de Horne Vaizey
Anagram
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Today’s quote
Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.
– Soren Kierkegaard
On this day
31 August 12AD – birth of Caligula, also known as Gaius Caesar, 3rd Roman Emperor from 37 – 41AD. Died 24 January 41AD. First Roman Emperor to be assassinated following a conspiracy to restore the Roman Republic. While the plot to kill Caligula succeeds, the restoration of the Republic fails when the Praetorian Guard appoint Caligula’s uncle, Claudius, as Emperor.
31 August 1897 – Thomas Edison granted a patent for the world’s first movie camera, the Kinetograph. The patented incorporated a number of inventions related to the capture of moving pictures, including the kinetoscope.
31 August 1928 – birth of James Coburn, actor (‘The Great Escape‘, ‘The Magnificent Seven‘). Died 18 November 2002.
31 August 1997 – death of Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales, in a car crash in Paris. Born 1 July 1961.