Forms: 4–6 enoynt(e, 4–7 anoynt(e, 5 ennoynt, -oint, 5–6 annoynt, 6–7 -oint, 4– anoint. [f. prec., which see. Though etymologically, an + oint, it was treated phonetically as if a + noint, and thus aphetized to NOINT, and illusively spelt in 16–17th c. an-noint (cf. annoy). Obs. by-forms: ENOINE, NOINT, OINT. Anoint has partially replaced OE. smérian, SMEAR, as a more refined and specialized synonym.]
I. To smear with an unguent.
1. To smear or rub over (medicinally or cosmetically) with oil or unguent; to oil, grease, apply ointment to. a. To anoint the body, etc., with. arch.
1366. Maundev., ii. 11. Oyle of Mercy for to anoynte with his Membres.
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 67. Thanne first he hath anointed With sondry herbes that figure.
1430. Lydg., Chron. Troy, I. vi. He was enoynted with an oyntement.
1483. Caxton, Cato, C viij b. The scorpion and the honyflye the whyche anoynten before and prycken hard behynde.
1514. Barclay, Cyt. & Uplondyshm., 11. With butter for to anoynt theyr necke.
1591. Harington, Ariost. Orl. Fur., 135. To noynt him selfe over with goates suet.
1611. Bible, Rev. iii. 18. Anoint thine eyes with eye salue, that thou mayest see. [So in Revised.]
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., IV. 599. With Nectar she her son anoints.
† b. With the unguent as object. Obs.
1599. A. M., trans. Gabelhouer’s Bk. Physic, 357/1. Wash chilblanes when they breake … and anoynte Terebinthine thereon.
1655. Marq. Worcester, Cent. Inv., lxiv. The green Oile … that was first anointed and used between the barrel [of the Cannon] … and the Engine [for loading].
† c. With the unguent as subject. Obs.
1697. Dryden, Æneid, VI. 315 (J.). Fragrant Oils the stiffen’d limbs anoint.
d. intr. (refl. pron. omitted.)
1697. Potter, Antiq. Greece, I. viii. (1715), 40. The Greeks usually Anointed before Meals.
2. spec. To apply or pour on oil, etc., as a religious ceremony: a. at baptism, or on consecration to an office, as those of priest or sovereign.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron., 206. Enoynted he was als kyng.
1382. Wyclif, Acts iv. 27. Thi hooly child Jhesu, whom thou anoyntidest … for to do the thingis, that thin hond and thi counceil demiden for to don.
a. 1450. Myrc, 670. Wassche þe chylde ouer þe font Þere he was anoynted in þe front.
1485. Caxton, Chas. Gt., 4. All kynges of fraunce ben enoynted at Raynes.
1611. Bible, Ex. xxviii. 4. Thou … shalt annoint them, and consecrate them … that they may minister vnto mee in the Priests office.
1867. Lady Herbert, Cradle L., 168. Here David was anointed king over the house of Judah.
† b. in extreme unction; = ANELE, ANOIL. Obs.
1366. Maundev., 19. Thei anoynte not the seke men.
† 3. fig. a. To besmear with flattery; to ‘butter.’
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 1057. These losengeris hem preyse and smylen, And thus the world with word anoynten.
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, H v b. More worthe is the frend whiche prycketh than the flaterynge frend whiche enoynteth.
b. To anoint the hand: to bribe. (Sc. to creesh the luif.)
1566. Knox, Hist. Ref., Wks. 1846, I. 102. Yea, the handis of our Lordis so liberallie war anoynted.
II. To moisten or rub.
4. To moisten or rub a surface with any substance. (Const. as in 1.)
c. 1325. E. E. Allit. P., B. 1446. Wyth besten blod busily anoynted.
1356. Wyclif, Last Age of Ch. (1840), 35. Wiþ his blood he anoyntide þe glas.
c. 1460. Towneley Myst., 23. Anoynt thi ship with pik.
1481. Caxton, Myrr., II. xvi. 102. Who someuer ennoynteth hym self with the blode.
1563. T. Hyll, Gardening (1593), 73. The ashes of Dill … may profitably be annointed on moiste vlcers.
1611. Bible, John ix. 11. Iesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes.
1653. Walton, Angler, 139. The box in which he put those worms was anointed with a drop, or two … of the oil of Ivy-berries.
1868. Heavysege, Jezebel, I. 74.
| Neither for years shall be allowed to fall | |
| Dew to anoint the ground. |
5. Hence ironically: To beat soundly, to ‘baste.’ (In the north they say humorously ‘to anoint with the sap of a hazel rod.’)
c. 1500. Partenay, 5653. The kyng away fly, Which so well was anoynted [Fr. si bien oingt] indede, That no sleue ne pane had he hole of brede.
1824. W. Irving, T. Trav., II. 287. Seize a trusty staff … and anoint the back of the aggressor.
