unction
/'ʌɳkʃn/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- Anointing as part of a religious ceremony or healing ritual: The act of applying oil or ointment, especially in a sacred context.
- Semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation: An ointment or salve used for medicinal or soothing purposes.
- Smug self-serving earnestness: An excessive and often insincere display of earnest emotion or fervor.
- Excessive but superficial compliments given with affected charm: Flattery that is overly effusive and characterized by a contrived, smooth manner.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Religious anointing):
- The priest performed the unction of the sick.
- The rite of unction is an important sacrament in some Christian traditions.
- Noun (Medicinal ointment):
- She applied a healing unction to the burn.
- The doctor prescribed an unction for the skin rash.
- Noun (Smug earnestness):
- He delivered his speech with unctuous unction.
- Her apology was full of false unction.
- Noun (Excessive flattery):
- The salesman's unction failed to convince the skeptical customer.
- He was repelled by the unction in her compliments.
Advanced Usage
- "Extreme unction": A term, now often called the Anointing of the Sick, for a religious rite involving anointing a seriously ill or dying person.
- The family requested that the priest administer extreme unction.
- "To speak with unction": To speak in an overly earnest, smooth, or ingratiating manner.
- The politician spoke with unction about his humble beginnings.
Variants and Related Words
- Unctuous (adj): Excessively smooth, greasy, or ingratiating in manner or substance.
- His unctuous flattery made everyone uncomfortable.
- Anoint (v): To apply oil or ointment ceremonially, often as part of a religious rite.
- The prophet will anoint the new king.
Synonyms
- Anointing: The act of applying oil, especially in a ritual.
- Ointment: A smooth, oily preparation used on the skin.
- Unctuousness: The quality of being smugly earnest or ingratiating.
- Fulsomeness: Excessive and insincere praise or flattery.
Idioms and Phrases
- Lay on the unction: To apply flattery or speak with excessive, insincere earnestness.
- He really laid on the unction when he asked for a favor.
Noun
- anointing as part of a religious ceremony or healing ritual
- semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation
- smug self-serving earnestness
- excessive but superficial compliments given with affected charm