[f. as prec. + -ING1.]
1. gen. The action of applying grease or oil to the surface of the body. (Often gerundial.)
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 11985. Anoyntyng ys gode for body sore.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., Anoyntynge, or enoyntynge, Inunctio.
1630. Hakewill, Apol., 390 (T.). Their bathings & annointings before their feasts.
1776. Gibbon, Decl. & F., xxxvii. The salutary custom of bathing the limbs in water and of anointing them with oil.
2. spec. a. The application of oil, as a sign of consecration to a sacred office.
1382. Wyclif, Ex. xxx. 31. This oyle of anoyntyng holy it shal be to me.
1432–50. trans. Higden (Rolls Ser.), VI. 159. By the noyntynge of holy creame.
1529. Rastell, Pastyme (1811), 8. The crownyng and noyntyng of the kyng.
1692. Washington, trans. Milton’s Def. Pop., iv. (1851), 105. One that … had wash’d off that anointing of his, whether Sacred or Civil, with the Blood of his own Subjects.
1820. A. Taylor (title), The Glory of Regality; an Historical Treatise of the Anointing and Crowning of the Kings and Queens of England.
† b. Last anointing of the sick: extreme unction.
c. 1340. Richard Rolle of Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 3409. Last enoyntyng gyven to þe seke.
a. 1400. Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton MS., 8. The fyfte sacrament es þe laste enoyntynge with oyle.
c. fig.
1382. Wyclif, 1 John ii. 20, 27. Ȝe han anoyntyng [v.r. unccioun] of the Holy Goost. His anoyntyng techith ȝou of alle thingis. 1611 The same anointing teacheth you of all things.
† 3. An anointing material, ointment, unguent.
1382. Wyclif, Ecclus. xxxviii. 7. The oynement makere shal make pymentis of swotenesse, and enoyntingus [1388 anoyntyngis] he shal make of helthe.
1561. J. Daus, Bullinger on Apoc. (1573), 144 b. Oyle is a resemblaunce of the holy Ghost, wherfore S. John calleth also the holy Ghost an annoyntyng.
4. attrib.
1611. Bible, Lev. x. 7. The anointing oyle of the Lord is vpon you.
1636. Healey, Theophrast., 46. Being at a Barbars shop or an anointing place.
