n. [ OE. unccioun, uncioun, OF. oncion, onction, F. onction, fr. L. unctio, fr. ungere, unctum, to anoint. See Unguent. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]
To be heir, and to be king
By sacred unction, thy deserved right. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. That which is used for anointing; an unguent; an ointment; hence, anything soothing or lenitive. [ 1913 Webster ]
The king himself the sacred unction made. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
Lay not that flattering unction to your soul. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. Divine or sanctifying grace. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
The delightful equivoque and unction of the passage in Farquhar. Hazlitt. [ 1913 Webster ]
The mention of thy glory
Is unction to the breast. Neale (Rhythm of St. Bernard). [ 1913 Webster ]
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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]