\Unc"tion\, n. [OE. unccioun, uncioun, OF. oncion,
onction, F. onction, fr. L. unctio, fr. ungere, unctum, to
anoint. See {Unguent}.]
1. The act of anointing, smearing, or rubbing with an
   unguent, oil, or ointment, especially for medical
   purposes, or as a symbol of consecration; as, mercurial
   unction.
         To be heir, and to be king By sacred unction, thy
         deserved right.                       --Milton.
2. That which is used for anointing; an unguent; an ointment;
   hence, anything soothing or lenitive.
         The king himself the sacred unction made. --Dryden.
         Lay not that flattering unction to your soul.
                                               --Shak.
3. Divine or sanctifying grace. [R.]
4. That quality in language, address, or the like, which
   excites emotion; especially, strong devotion; religious
   fervor and tenderness; sometimes, a simulated, factitious,
   or unnatural fervor.
         The delightful equivoque and unction of the passage
         in Farquhar.                          --Hazlitt.
         The mention of thy glory Is unction to the breast.
                                               --Neale
                                               (Rhythm of St.
                                               Bernard).
{Extreme unction} (R. C. Ch. & Gr. Ch.), the sacrament of
   anointing in the last hours; the application of
   consecrated oil by a priest to all the senses, that is, to
   eyes, ears, nostrils, etc., of a person when in danger of
   death from illness, -- done for remission of sins. [James
   v. 14, 15.]