the application of oil or ointment to a person's head Oil or ointment is used when initiating someone for a special religious office such as priest, prophet, or king Jesus was called the Messiah or God's anointed one The sick, wounded and dying are anointed as well
To apply oil to This is usually done as part of a cleansing, either of tools or a person who is initiating themselves to a certain doctrine of beliefs [i e Christianism, Paganism, et cetera]
The practice of anointing with perfumed oil was common among the Hebrews (1 ) The act of anointing was significant of consecration to a holy or sacred use; hence the anointing of the high priest (Ex 29: 29; Lev 4: 3) and of the sacred vessels (Ex 30: 26) The high priest and the king are thus called "the anointed" (Lev 4: 3, 5, 16; 6: 20; Ps 132: 10) Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him (1 Sam 16: 13; 2 Sam 2: 4, etc ) Prophets were also anointed (1 Kings 19: 16; 1 Chr 16: 22; Ps 105: 15) The expression, "anoint the shield" (Isa 21: 5), refers to the custom of rubbing oil on the leather of the shield so as to make it supple and fit for use in war
To anoint someone means to put oil or water on a part of their body, usually for religious reasons. He anointed my forehead The Pope has anointed him as Archbishop. the anointed king
If a person in a position of authority anoints someone, they choose them to do a particular important job. The populist party anointed him as its candidate Mr. Olsen has always avoided anointing any successor. to put oil or water on someone's head or body, usually as part of a religious ceremony (past participle of enoindre, from inunguere, from unguere; UNGUENT)
{f} apply or rub oil or ointment; rub oil on a person's head or feet as part of a religious ceremony (such as in a Christian baptism); smear with a liquid; ordain a person ceremonially or officially in office or to function, anele