Anoint
/əˈnɔɪnt/
verbC1
Definition
To anoint means to put oil or a similar liquid on a person or object, often in a religious or important ceremony. This action usually shows that the person is chosen for a special role, blessed, or protected. It can also mean to officially choose someone for an important job or position.
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See It in Action
To put oil on someone during a religious or special ceremony
- •The priest anointed the baby to bless him.
- •Kings were anointed with oil to show they were chosen to rule.
- •She was anointed during the ceremony as a sign of her new role.
To officially choose or name someone for an important position
- •The leader was anointed as the new head of the community.
- •He was anointed to be the next company director.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "anoint" like "put" (A1 word), but with oil and in a special, serious way during ceremonies
- ✓Picture a person’s head being gently touched with oil during a church or royal ceremony
- ✓It’s the feeling of being honored or chosen for something very important, like a king or priest
- ✓Sounds like "uh-NOINT" → imagine oil making a smooth, quiet "oint" sound as it touches skin softly
- ✓In stories, kings or prophets are anointed to show they have a special role or blessing from God
- ✓NOT like "paint" (color on surface), anoint uses oil for blessing or choosing, not decoration
- ✓NOT like "rub" (simple action), anoint is a formal, meaningful action done with purpose
- ✓NOT like "appoint" (choose officially), anoint often involves a physical action with oil as part of the choosing
Try Other Words
- •Appoint: to officially choose someone for a job or role (Use when no physical ceremony or oil is involved)
- •Bless: to give good wishes or protection, often in religious context (Use when focusing on spiritual protection rather than selection)
- •Consecrate: to make something holy or sacred, often by a religious ceremony (Use in religious contexts similar to anoint but often for places or objects)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "an-" (variant of "on") + root "oint" (from Latin "ungere" meaning to smear or rub with oil)
- •Etymology: From Old French "enoint," from Latin "inungere," meaning to smear or rub with oil
- •Historical development: Used since Middle Ages in religious and royal ceremonies to show blessing or selection
- •Modern usage: Still used in religious ceremonies and sometimes metaphorically to mean official or special choice
Reflect & Connect
•How does the act of anointing make a person feel chosen or special in different cultures?
•Can "anoint" be used outside religious contexts? How would that change its meaning?
Fill in the blanks
1.The priest anointed the king’s head ___ a sign of his new power and role.
2.People often feel honored when they are anointed ___ an important position.
3.Unlike just choosing someone, to anoint usually involves a ___ or ceremony.
4.When someone is anointed, oil is ___ on their body as a symbol of blessing.
5.Anointing is different from appointing because it includes a ___ action with oil.
6.The ceremony was special because the leader was anointed ___ the whole community watching.
7.If a person is anointed, we can infer they are ___ for a special or sacred role.