unction

Noun

1. An ointment or salve.
   • The King himſelf the ſacred Unction made, / As King by Office, and as Prieſt by Trade: […] - c. 1678 (date written; published 1682), J[ohn] Dryden, “Mac Flecknoe”, in Mac Flecknoe: A Poem. […] With Spencer’s Ghost:...
2. A religious or ceremonial anointing.
   • To be heir, and to be king / By sacred unction, thy deserved right. - 1667, John Milton, “Book VI”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter...
3. A balm or something that soothes.
4. A quality in language, address or delivery which expresses sober and fervent emotion.
   • Krook almost smacks his lips with the unction of a horrible interest. - 1852 March – 1853 September, Charles Dickens, chapter XI, in Bleak House, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1853, →OCLC:
   • "Well, I'll say this for myself. If there's anything out of order where I'm about, I don't miss it." "I believe you," said Bradly with unction. - 1938, Norman Lindsay, chapter XXI, in Age of Consent, London: T[homas]...
5. Unctuousness: A smug, exaggerated use of language; smarminess.
6. Divine or sanctifying grace.