unction

Plural: unctions

Noun

• The act of anointing as part of a religious rite.
• excessive but superficial compliments given with affected charm
• smug self-serving earnestness
• semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation
• anointing as part of a religious ceremony or healing ritual
• An ointment or salve.
• A religious or ceremonial anointing.
• A balm or something that soothes.
• A quality in language, address or delivery which expresses sober and fervent emotion.
• Unctuousness: A smug, exaggerated use of language; smarminess.
• Divine or sanctifying grace.

Examples

• He applied a mental UNCTION to his strategy, hoping for divine inspiration for the next word.

Synonyms

balm, fulsomeness, inunction, oiliness, ointment, oleaginousness, salve, smarm, smarminess, unctuousness, unguent