Etymology Map
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Anoint

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to smear with oil in a religious ceremony

Where does the word "anoint" come from? It comes from Latin inungere, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
inungere
Latin · ancient
"to smear on"
'in-' plus 'unguere', to smear, the root of 'ointment'
2
Stage 2 of 3
enoint
Old French · medieval
"anointed"
past participle used as an English verb
3
Stage 3 of 3
anoint
English · 1300s
"to smear with oil"
kings were anointed at coronation
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Read the full story

Anoint’s story begins in Latin: inungere meant “to smear on.” 'in-' plus 'unguere', to smear, the root of 'ointment'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as enoint. Past participle used as an English verb. It reached English by 1300s as anoint. Kings were anointed at coronation. Today, anoint means to smear with oil in a religious ceremony.