Forms: 5–6 cris-, crysmatory(e, -ie, 6 crismytery, cresmatori, chrismatary, 6, 9 chrysmatory, 6– chrismatory. [ad. med.L. chrismatōrium f. chrisma, chrismat-: see CHRISM. The adj. corresponds to a L. type *chrismatōrius: see -ORY.]
A. sb. 1. The vessel containing the chrism or consecrated oil; in R. C. Ch., a case containing three flasks of oil for baptism, confirmation, and anointing of the sick.
c. 1450. Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 592/16. A crismatorye.
1464. Paston Lett., 976, III. 433. Item, one potte callid a crismatorie to put in holy creme and oyle.
c. 1530. in Gutch, Coll. Cur., II. 337. Item oone Crismytery of silver.
1554. in Fuller, Waltham Abb. (1840), 273. ‘Item, For a chrismatory of pewter, three shillings four pence.’ This was a vessel in which the consecrated oil, used in baptism, confirmation, and extreme unction, was deposited.
1566. Eng. Ch. Furn. (1866), 33. Item one crysmatorie sold to a tincker, but yt was first broken in peces.
1580. Baret, Alv., C. 520. Chrismatorie, or a little vessell out of which Princes were anointed.
1884. A. J. Butler, Coptic Ch. Egypt, I. 74. Pilgrim bottles which may have been used as chrismatories.
b. ‘A recess, near the spot where the font originally stood, to contain the chrism.’ (Gwilt.)
2. Sacramental anointing; unction.
1563. Foxe, A. & M. (1596), 216/2. To consecrat bishops, to make his chrismatorie, to celebrate his synods.
1581. Marbeck, Bk. of Notes, 683. Their chrismatories, greasings, vowes, othes, & shauings, are signes of this marke.
B. adj. Of or pertaining to sacramental anointing or unction.
1555. Fardle Facions, II. xii. 290. An oyle that is made to this vse, by the bisshoppe … like as the chrismatory oile is.
