First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
anoint
verb \ə-ˈnȯint\
: to put oil on (someone) as part of a religious ceremony
: to officially or formally choose (someone) to do or to be something
Full Definition of ANOINT
transitive verb
1
: to smear or rub with oil or an oily substance
2
a : to apply oil to as a sacred rite especially for consecration b : to choose by or as if by divine election; also : to designate as if by a ritual anointment <critics anointed the author as the bright new talent>
— anoint·er noun
— anoint·ment \-mənt\ noun
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Origin of ANOINT
Middle English, from Anglo-French enoint, past participle of enoindre, from Latin inunguere, from in- + unguere to smear — more at ointment
Rhymes with ANOINT
adjoint, appoint, aroint, ballpoint, bluepoint, blue point, break point, butt joint, checkpoint, choke point, clip joint, conjoint, dew point, disjoint, drypoint, end point, fixed-point, flash point, game point, grade point, gunpoint, High Point, hinge joint, hip joint, ice point, juke joint, knifepoint, lap joint, match point, midpoint, near point, nonpoint, outpoint, pen point, pinpoint, pourpoint, price point, seal point, set point, standpoint, strongpoint, tuck-point, viewpoint, waypoint
ANOINTER Defined for Kids
anoint
verb \ə-ˈnȯint\
anoint·edanoint·ing
Definition of ANOINT for Kids
1
: to rub or cover with oil or grease
2
: to put oil on as part of a religious ceremony
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