anoint

UK: /əˈnɔɪnt/ US: /əˈnɔɪnt/ ,(ə noint′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

a•noint /əˈnɔɪnt/   v. 

1. [~ + object (+ with + object)] to rub oil or ointment on the body so as to make sacred or holy in a ceremony.
2. [~ + object] to choose formally:
   The president anointed his vice-president as his successor.

a•noint•ment, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

a•noint  (ə noint′), v.t. 

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.

• Latin inūnctus anointed (past participle of inungere), equivalent. to in- in-² + ung- smear with oil + -tus past participle suffix
• Old French enoint
• Middle English anoynten, derivative of anoynt, enoynt (past participle) 1300–50

a•noint′er, n. 
a•noint′ment, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

anoint / əˈnɔɪnt/ verb (transitive)

1. to smear or rub over with oil or an oily liquid
2. to apply oil to as a sign of consecration or sanctification in a sacred rite

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French enoint, from enoindre, from Latin inunguere, from in-² + unguere to smear with oil

aˈnointer noun

aˈnointment noun