World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesUnction
/ˈʌŋk.ʃən/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
The action of anointing someone with oil as a religious rite or sacrament.
"The priest administered the extreme unction to the ailing parishioner." - 2
Exaggerated, unctuous, or hypocritical earnestness in language or manner.
"He spoke about his humble beginnings with a false unction that alienated the audience."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
The word originates from the late Middle English (denoting the action of anointing as part of a religious ceremony): from Old French unction, or directly from Latin unctio(n-), from ungere 'to anoint'. Over time, the term evolved metaphorically to describe both literal religious anointing oils and a figurative, often exaggeratedly smooth or soapy manner of speech.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Unction"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Unction" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
onction
Transliteration: /ɔ̃k.sjɔ̃/
"Il parla de sa mission avec une grande onction."
Salbung
Transliteration: /ˈzalbʊŋ/
"Die Salbung der Kranken ist ein Sakrament in der Kirche."
unzione
Transliteration: /unˈtsjo.ne/
"Il sacerdote diede l'estrema unzione al malato."
unción
Transliteration: /unˈsjon/
"El sacerdote administró la unción de los enfermos."
unção
Transliteration: /ũˈsãw̃/
"A unção sagrada é uma prática antiga."
अभिषेक
Transliteration: abhishek
Script: हिंदी देवनागरी
"धार्मिक अनुष्ठान में तेल का अभिषेक किया गया।"
涂油礼
Transliteration: tú yóu lǐ
Script: 中文汉字
"牧师为病人进行了涂油礼。"
도유
Transliteration: doyu
Script: 한국어 한글
"환자를 위한 도유 예식이 거행되었습니다."
塗油
Transliteration: toyu
Script: 日本語
"司祭は病人に塗油の秘跡を授けた。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all English termsThe act of making an effort to vomit, often accompanied by a gagging sound.
The practice of using electrical currents to stimulate plant growth and improve agricultural yields.
A humorous or ironic reference to a citation or quotation, often used in academic or informal contexts.
Explore Nuanced Synonyms for "Unction"
Discover exact matches, context-specific alternatives, and antonyms with intensity ratings in the VocabDictionary Thesaurus.
Enhance Your Writing & Grammar Precision
Linguistic Origins & Word Stories
View all stories →How Are Palisade Cells Adapted for Photosynthesis (and Why Are They Called 'Palisade')?
Palisade mesophyll cells are column-shaped, densely packed with chloroplasts, and positioned near the leaf's upper surface to maximize light absorption for photosynthesis. Their name comes from the French word for a defensive fence of wooden stakes, referencing their tightly aligned, upright cellular structure.
What is a SLOT SWOT Analysis and How Do You Actually Do One?
A SLOT SWOT analysis is an expanded strategic planning framework that blends personal or organizational 'SLOT' (Strengths, Limitations, Opportunities, Threats) metrics with traditional 'SWOT' dynamics. It provides a granular approach to evaluating internal capabilities against external market realities.