anoint

Verb

anoint (third-person singular simple present anoints, present participle anointing, simple past and past participle anointed)

1. (transitive) To smear or rub over with oil or an unctuous substance; also, to spread over, as oil.
   • He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, John 9:6
   • And Fragrant Oils the ſtiffen'd Limbs anoint.1697, Virgil, “The Sixth Book of the Æneis”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, page 371, line 315

   Synonyms:

   salve, pomade, pomate, pomatum

2. (transitive) To apply oil to or to pour oil upon, etc., as a sacred rite, especially for consecration.
   • Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his [Aaron's] head and anoint him.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Exodus 29:7
   • Anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Kings 19:15

   Synonyms:

   salve

3. (figuratively, transitive) To choose or nominate somebody for a leading or otherwise important position, especially formally or officially, or as an intended successor.
   • Unlike other previous Prelates, who were swiftly anointed bishops, Francis did not follow suit. Ocáriz remained a Monsignor. In the eyes of many observers, it was a demotion of Opus Dei.2024 March 16, Antonia Cundy, “The Opus Dei diaries”, in FT Weekend, London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 18
4. (historical, transitive) To mark somebody as an official ruler, especially a king or queen, as a part of a religious ceremony.