Middle English Dictionary Entry

enointen v.
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Entry Info

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

Note: Cp. nointen v. Past and past participial forms with a single dental (enoint etc., as opposed to enointed etc.) are ambiguous and may be regarded as belonging either to this word or to enoinen v.; they are taken by MED under the latter, q.v. OED treats them under their own entry, as adjectives albeit usually participial in function.
1.
(a) To smear or daub (sb. or sth. with a soft substance such as oil or grease); (b) to put oil on (food); to baste (a fowl); (c) to caulk (a ship); to seal (a casket).
2.
(a) To apply an aromatic unguent to (sb., someone's head, etc.), to perfume; (b) to embalm (sb., someone's body); (c) fig. to imbue or fill (with sweetness), to embellish or make attractive; to flatter (sb.), to flatter deceitfully.
3.
Med. To apply a healing unguent or medicine to (sb., the body, a wound, etc.); to daub or bathe with a lotion; also fig.
4a.
To anoint or consecrate (a king, priest, etc.); to annoint (someone king, as king, to king); enointen with creme, to annoint.
4b.
(a) To administer extreme unction to (a sick or dying man); (b) to apply chrism to (sb.) in administering other sacraments, e.g. baptism or confirmation.
4c.
Fig. To bless or sanctify (sb.) as with a sacrament.
4d.
To consecrate or dedicate (a temple, altar, etc.) by applying an unguent; to rub (a sacrificial substance on such an object).
5.
To apply an ointment or lotion thought to possess magical or supernatural properties to (sb., sth.), as in sorcery or superstitious practices.