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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 g-d.
historical examples

the ceremony of anointment, which preceded and was entirely distinct from that of coronation, was an occasion of much display.
the works of hubert howe bancroft, volume 2 hubert howe bancroft

as the prayer ceased, came the symbolical rite of anointment.
harold, complete edward bulwer-lytton

these difficulties thus removed, the anointment of henry iv.
a popular history of france from the earliest times francois pierre guillaume guizot

the ceremony of a royal coronation and anointment was not in those days regarded as a mere costly formality.
the great events by famous historians, volume 07 various

the anointment of the body with oils was one of the characteristics of a roman bath.
history of sanitation john joseph cosgrove

but one other thing, more important than the anointment at chartres, was wanting.
a popular history of france from the earliest times francois pierre guillaume guizot

i think it a neglected art, degraded to the function of anointment.
visionaries james huneker

particulars of the anointment have already been given in connection with the coronation of napoleon.
main currents in nineteenth century literature, vol. iii (of 6) the reaction in france georg brandes

already king by anointment, he is now again made king by the casting of lots.
the history of antiquity, vol. ii (of vi) max duncker

in the tenth year of his anointment, the beloved king piyadasi obtained the sambodhi or complete knowledge.
the influence of buddhism on primitive christianity arthur lillie

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.