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anointed

 - 3 dictionary results

a⋅noint

[uh-noint]
–verb (used with object)
1. to rub or sprinkle on; apply an unguent, ointment, or oily liquid to.
2. to smear with any liquid.
3. to consecrate or make sacred in a ceremony that includes the token applying of oil: He anointed the new high priest.
4. to dedicate to the service of God.

Origin:
1300–50; ME anoynten, deriv. of anoynt, enoynt (ptp.) < OF enoint < L inūnctus anointed (ptp. of inungere), equiv. to in- in- 2 + ung- smear with oil + -tus ptp. suffix


a⋅noint⋅er, noun
a⋅noint⋅ment, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To anointed
a·noint   (ə-noint')   
tr.v.   a·noint·ed, a·noint·ing, a·noints
  1. To apply oil, ointment, or a similar substance to.

  2. To put oil on during a religious ceremony as a sign of sanctification or consecration.

  3. To choose by or as if by divine intervention.


[Middle English enointen, from Old French enoint, past participle of enoindre, from Latin inunguere, inūnct- : in-, on; see in-2 + unguere, to smear.]
a·noint'er n., a·noint'ment n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

anoint 
c.1303 (implied in anointing), from O.Fr. enoint "smeared on," pp. of enoindre "smear on," from L. inunguere, from in- "on" + unguere "to smear." Originally in ref. to grease or oil smeared on for medicinal purposes; its use in the Coverdale Bible in ref. to Christ (cf. The Lord's Anointed, see chrism) has spiritualized the sense of it.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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