anoint
UK[əˈnɔɪnt]US[əˈnɔɪnt]
v
to put oil or water on someone's head or body as part of a religious ceremony
v
to choose someone to do a particular job, especially an important one, by a formal ceremony
Etymology
the word 'anoint' entered english in the early 14th century from the old french verb 'enoindre', which itself descended from the latin 'inungere', meaning 'to smear on'. this latin term is a compound of the preposition 'in-' (meaning 'on') and the verb 'ungere' (meaning 'to smear, anoint'). the root 'ungere' traces back to the proto-indo-european ongw- ('to smear, anoint'), which is also the ancestor of words like 'unguent'. the core concept has remained remarkably consistent from its ancient origins, evolving from the physical act of smearing oil or fat to its specialized ceremonial and symbolic uses in religious rites and formal appointments.
Analysis
this word is a simplex form derived as a whole from old french and latin. it is not productively segmented into smaller, meaningful morphemes in modern english spelling.
Examples
the priest will anoint the baby with oil during the baptism.
the new bishop was anointed in a solemn ceremony.
she was anointed as the party's candidate for the upcoming election.