Word: anoint (verb)

Associations

"Anoint" means to put oil or a special liquid on someone or something, usually as part of a religious or special ceremony. It can also mean to choose someone for an important role or job, often in a formal way.

• In religious ceremonies, a priest might anoint a person with oil to bless them.
• A king or queen can be anointed during a coronation to show they have been chosen to rule.
• Sometimes, a person is anointed as a leader or winner, meaning they are officially picked for that role.

A similar word is "bless," but "anoint" usually involves oil or a special substance, while "bless" is more general and can be done with words or gestures.

Substitution

Instead of "anoint," you can sometimes use:

• "bless" (more general, less physical)
• "appoint" (when talking about choosing someone for a job)
• "consecrate" (more formal, often religious) Each word changes the meaning slightly. For example, "appoint" does not involve oil or ceremony.

Deconstruction

The word "anoint" comes from Old French "anoindre," which comes from Latin "inungere," meaning "to smear or rub on." The prefix "an-" is a form of "in-" meaning "on," and "oint" comes from "ungere," meaning "to anoint or smear with oil."

Inquiry

• Can you think of a ceremony or event where people might be anointed?
• Have you ever seen or heard about someone being anointed as a leader or in a religious context?
• How do you think the act of anointing makes a person feel in a special ceremony?