to put holy or specially prepared oil on someone’s head or body as part of a religious ceremony
During the coronation, the archbishop anointed the new king’s forehead with sacred oil.
At the baptism, the priest gently anointed the baby’s head while the parents looked on.
✦ Old French enoint, past participle of enoindre, from Latin inungere “to smear on,” from in- “on” + ungere “to smear, anoint.”
to formally choose someone for an important job or position, often suggesting that the decision is official or inspired
The board anointed her as the company’s next CEO after months of deliberation.
Many believed the party had already anointed its preferred candidate long before the primary election.
✦ Extended figurative sense of ‘choose for a role’ developed in English in the 14th century from the religious practice of anointing kings and priests.
