tr.v., a·noint·ed, a·noint·ing, a·noints.
- To apply oil, ointment, or a similar substance to.
- To put oil on during a religious ceremony as a sign of sanctification or consecration.
- To choose by or as if by divine intervention.
[Middle English enointen, from Old French enoint, past participle of enoindre, from Latin inunguere, inūnct- : in-, on; see in-2 + unguere, to smear.]
anointer a·noint'er n.anointment a·noint'ment n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
