Unctional
/ʌŋkˈʃənəl/noun
Relating to unction, especially the act of anointing with oil in a religious or ceremonial context.
Did you know?Unction became especially associated with Christian rites of anointing, including healing and the anointing of the sick, making the word part of a long history of oil as sacred substance.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*neugʷ- / *ongʷ-
“To smear, anoint, or apply a greasy substance”
Classical Latin
Latin
unguere
“To smear or anoint with oil”
Late Latin
Latin
unctio
“An anointing or application of oil”
Middle English
Anglo-Norman/French
unction
“Anointing, especially as a religious rite”
Early Modern English
English
unctional
“Relating to unction or anointing”
Modern English
English
unctional
“Pertaining to anointing, particularly in a religious or ceremonial setting”
Explore more surprising origins