anoint
1 of 1verb/əˈnɔɪnt/
Forms:anoints,anointing,anointed,anointed
1
to apply oil, ointment, or a similar substance in a religious or ceremonial act
- The priest anoints the sick with holy oil during the sacrament of anointing.
- Last Sunday, the bishop anointed the newly confirmed with chrism oil.
- They have anointed the sacred relics with fragrant oils for generations.
- Tomorrow, the shaman will anoint the tribal leader with blessed oil in a traditional ritual.
- By the time the ceremony ended, the minister had anointed all the newborns with consecrated oil.
2
to choose whom an important position or job will be given to, generally done by a person of power
- The board decided to anoint her as the new CEO after months of deliberation.
- The party leader sought to anoint his successor before stepping down from office.
- The influential donor hoped to anoint someone who would continue his philanthropic legacy.
- After a thorough selection process, they were ready to anoint the next principal of the school.
- In ancient times, religious leaders would anoint kings as a sign of divine approval.