1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Unction

UNCTION (Lat. unctio, anointing, ungere, unguere, to smear with ointment, to anoint; cf. “ointment,” O.Fr. oignement, from oigner, mod. oindre, to anoint), the act of pouring, or rubbing oil, ointment or salve over or on to a person or object. The term is particularly used of the ceremonial practice of anointing with oil or unguents (see Anointing). The sacrament of the anointing of the sick in the Roman church is treated under Extreme Unction. The use of the term for religious fervour in speech has degenerated into its common meaning of exaggerated sentiment.