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to rub or sprinkle on; apply an unguent, ointment, or oily liquid to.
to smear with any liquid.
to consecrate or make sacred in a ceremony that includes the token applying of oil:
He anointed the new high priest.
to dedicate to the service of God.
Contemporary Examples

They were about to anoint Charlie Wilson as one of their own.
Charlie Wilson’s CIA Adventures George Crile February 10, 2010

As midnight approached, the First Lady summoned a local pastor to the stage to anoint the nation.
Rick Warren’s Africa Problem Max Blumenthal January 6, 2009

Could it be that by giving him St. Peter in Chains Benedict meant to anoint him?
Donald Wuerl: America’s Candidate for Pope? Christopher Dickey March 9, 2013

We privately see ourselves as queenly beings who get to decide which of our subjects to anoint with a knighthood.
Hands Off My Call Girl! Tracy Quan February 24, 2010

However, before we rush to anoint the next Daughtry, let’s try to remember what a REAL rocker looks like.
Dead Cool: Johnny Thunders Simon Doonan February 4, 2010

Historical Examples

With tallow they anoint their bodies from head to toe and even use it to shave their beards instead of soap.
West African studies Mary Henrietta Kingsley

anoint me with the chrism of spontaneity that I may be ever worthy of thee.
The Book of Khalid Ameen Rihani

They allow their hair to grow long, but do not, for want of means, anoint it with oil.
Castes and Tribes of Southern India Edgar Thurston

So be it, but I tell you that I will tear your city stone from stone, and anoint its ruins with your blood.
Elissa H. Rider Haggard

It was customary also to anoint the lips of the image and the cornices of the door with the victim’s blood.
The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, Volume 2 Hubert Howe Bancroft

verb (transitive)
to smear or rub over with oil or an oily liquid
to apply oil to as a sign of consecration or sanctification in a sacred rite
v.

c.1300 (implied in anointing), from Old French enoint “smeared on,” past participle of enoindre “smear on,” from Latin inunguere “to anoint,” from in- “on” + unguere “to smear” (see unguent). Originally in reference to grease or oil smeared on for medicinal purposes; its use in the Coverdale Bible in reference to Christ (cf. The Lord’s Anointed, see chrism) has spiritualized the word. Related: Anointed; anointing.

The practice of anointing with perfumed oil was common among the Hebrews. (1.) The act of anointing was significant of consecration to a holy or sacred use; hence the anointing of the high priest (Ex. 29:29; Lev. 4:3) and of the sacred vessels (Ex. 30:26). The high priest and the king are thus called “the anointed” (Lev. 4:3, 5, 16; 6:20; Ps. 132:10). Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him (1 Sam. 16:13; 2 Sam. 2:4, etc.). Prophets were also anointed (1 Kings 19:16; 1 Chr. 16:22; Ps. 105:15). The expression, “anoint the shield” (Isa. 21:5), refers to the custom of rubbing oil on the leather of the shield so as to make it supple and fit for use in war. (2.) Anointing was also an act of hospitality (Luke 7:38, 46). It was the custom of the Jews in like manner to anoint themselves with oil, as a means of refreshing or invigorating their bodies (Deut. 28:40; Ruth 3:3; 2 Sam. 14:2; Ps. 104:15, etc.). This custom is continued among the Arabians to the present day. (3.) Oil was used also for medicinal purposes. It was applied to the sick, and also to wounds (Ps. 109:18; Isa. 1:6; Mark 6:13; James 5:14). (4.) The bodies of the dead were sometimes anointed (Mark 14:8; Luke 23:56). (5.) The promised Deliverer is twice called the “Anointed” or Messiah (Ps. 2:2; Dan. 9:25, 26), because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost (Isa. 61:1), figuratively styled the “oil of gladness” (Ps. 45:7; Heb. 1:9). Jesus of Nazareth is this anointed One (John 1:41; Acts 9:22; 17:2, 3; 18:5, 28), the Messiah of the Old Testament.