unction
unction
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling of "unction" is /ˈʌŋkʃən/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
un:
/ʌ/ - This is the "uh" sound as in "cup" or "strut".
/ŋ/ - This is the "ng" sound as in "sing" or "long".
ction:
/k/ - This is the hard "c" sound as in "cat" or "back".
/ʃ/ - This is the "sh" sound as in "ship" or "wish".
/ə/ - This is the schwa sound, a neutral vowel sound like the "a" in "about" or the "e" in "taken".
/n/ - This is the "n" sound as in "net" or "ten".
Word Form Variations
"Unction" is a noun. Here are its word form variations:
Singular: unction
Plural: unctions
That's it! "Unction" doesn't have separate forms for different grammatical cases like some languages do. There's no masculine/feminine or subjective/objective form.
While "unction" itself doesn't change much, you can create related words by adding suffixes:
unctionless (adjective): lacking unction; without a soothing or sanctimonious quality
unctional (adjective): relating to the act of anointing with oil
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: The act of anointing with oil, often as part of a religious ceremony or healing ritual.
Synonyms: anointing, blessing, consecration
Antonyms: desecration, profanation
Definition 2: A soothing or healing substance, such as an ointment or balm.
Synonyms: ointment, balm, salve, emollient
Antonyms: irritant, abrasive
Definition 3: (Figurative) Exaggerated earnestness or fervor, often insincere or overly sentimental, in speech or manner.
Synonyms: unctuousness, sanctimoniousness, sentimentality, affectedness
Antonyms: sincerity, genuineness, authenticity, forthrightness
Adjective (While "unctional" exists, it's not a common form of "unction")
Definition: Relating to the act of anointing or the application of a soothing substance.
Synonyms: anointing, lubricating, soothing
Antonyms: irritating, abrasive
Examples of Use
Books:
Religious Texts: "The sacrament of Extreme Unction is the last anointing of the body before death." (Catechism of the Catholic Church) This illustrates the traditional religious use of the word, referring to the anointing of the sick.
Classic Literature: "He spoke with the unction of a preacher, but his eyes held a glint of avarice." (Fictional example) This demonstrates the figurative use of "unction" to describe insincere or affected piety.
Newspapers:
Political Commentary: "The senator's speech was full of unction about the plight of the poor, but his voting record told a different story." (The New York Times - hypothetical example) Here, "unction" highlights a perceived disconnect between words and actions.
Online Publications:
Cultural Critique: "The website's review of the new wellness retreat dripped with unction, praising its 'transformative' and 'life-changing' program." (Slate - hypothetical example) This usage suggests an overly effusive and possibly insincere tone in the review.
Entertainment:
Film: In the movie Doubt (2008), a priest's overly familiar manner with a student is described as having "a bit too much unction" by another nun, hinting at something inappropriate beneath the surface.
Television: A character in a period drama might say, "Apply this unction to the wound, it will soothe the pain." (Downton Abbey - hypothetical example) This demonstrates the use of "unction" to refer to a healing ointment.
General Public Discourse:
Everyday Conversation: "I can't stand the way he speaks with such unction, like he's trying to convince us he's a saint." This reflects the common use of "unction" to describe someone who is perceived as insincere or overly pious.
10 Famous Quotes Using Unction
"With a priestly unction, he blessed the crowd with words that healed more than wounds." — William Jennings Bryan (paraphrased from speeches where he spoke with religious fervor)
"There is no unction like truth sincerely spoken." — George Eliot (from her reflections on moral clarity in literature)
"Nothing can so soothe the soul as a voice of gentle unction in the hour of despair." — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (poetic interpretation from Voices of the Night)
"He spoke with all the unction of a man who never doubted himself." — Winston Churchill (on political oratory)
"Unction is the soul of preaching; without it, the greatest eloquence is cold and lifeless." — Charles Spurgeon (famed preacher and theologian)
"There are men who preach with unction, and men who preach for function. The first moves hearts, the second fills seats." — A.W. Tozer
"The law touches us; but grace, with holy unction, transforms us." — John Newton (author of Amazing Grace)
"Words spoken in unction linger longer than those spoken in pride." — Unknown (frequently used in spiritual guidance contexts)
"In the performance of sacred rites, unction conveys what words cannot." — Thomas Aquinas (paraphrased from theological works on sacramental acts)
"I pray for unction, not performance; for presence, not applause." — Leonard Ravenhill (20th-century evangelist and revivalist)
Etymology
Imagine the word "unction" as a fancy bottle of oil. That's a good starting point because the word's history is all about oily stuff!
It comes from the Latin word "unguere," which means "to anoint." Anointing is when you put oil on someone, often in a religious ceremony. Think of kings and queens getting crowned with oil poured on their heads.
This Latin word morphed into "unctio" in Latin, meaning "an anointing." Then, around the 14th century, English borrowed the word and turned it into "unction."
So, the first meaning of "unction" was simply the act of anointing someone with oil, usually in a religious setting. Over time, the word picked up some extra meanings:
Ointment: Because anointing often involved using a soothing balm, "unction" could also refer to the oily substance itself.
Insincere Smoothness: This meaning is more figurative. Imagine someone speaking in a super smooth, overly sweet way, trying too hard to sound holy or convincing. That's "unction" used in a negative way.
So, "unction" started with a simple, literal meaning, but like a drop of oil spreading on water, its meaning has expanded over time.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Unction
Actual Phrases (mostly religious contexts):
Extreme Unction: This refers to the last rites given to a dying person in the Catholic Church.
Lay on hands with unction: This describes the act of blessing someone with oil, emphasizing a sense of deep spiritual intention.
Lesser-Known Phrases:
To speak with unction: This describes someone speaking in an overly pious or sentimental way.
To lack unction: This refers to a lack of emotional warmth or sincerity.
Original Phrases:
To lay it on with unction: This means to be excessively effusive or insincere in praise or flattery.
Drowning in unction: This describes someone who is overwhelmed by excessive sentimentality or false piety.
Unction overload: This refers to a situation where there's an excessive amount of insincere or overly emotional expression.
Idioms with Synonyms for Similar Effect:
Lay it on thick: Similar to "lay it on with unction," meaning to exaggerate praise or flattery.
Butter someone up: To flatter someone excessively to gain favor.
Crocodile tears: To show false sadness or sympathy.
The scarcity of idioms using "unction" highlights its formal and somewhat specialized nature. It's a word that carries specific connotations, making it less flexible for casual idiomatic expressions.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of unction from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
