Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Unction \Unc"tion\, n. [OE. unccioun, uncioun, OF. oncion,
   onction, F. onction, fr. L. unctio, fr. ungere, unctum, to
   anoint. See {Unguent}.]
   1. The act of anointing, smearing, or rubbing with an
      unguent, oil, or ointment, especially for medical
      purposes, or as a symbol of consecration; as, mercurial
      unction.

            To be heir, and to be king By sacred unction, thy
            deserved right.                       --Milton.

   2. That which is used for anointing; an unguent; an ointment;
      hence, anything soothing or lenitive.

            The king himself the sacred unction made. --Dryden.

            Lay not that flattering unction to your soul.
                                                  --Shak.

   3. Divine or sanctifying grace. [R.]

   4. That quality in language, address, or the like, which
      excites emotion; especially, strong devotion; religious
      fervor and tenderness; sometimes, a simulated, factitious,
      or unnatural fervor.

            The delightful equivoque and unction of the passage
            in Farquhar.                          --Hazlitt.

            The mention of thy glory Is unction to the breast.
                                                  --Neale
                                                  (Rhythm of St.
                                                  Bernard).

   {Extreme unction} (R. C. Ch. & Gr. Ch.), the sacrament of
      anointing in the last hours; the application of
      consecrated oil by a priest to all the senses, that is, to
      eyes, ears, nostrils, etc., of a person when in danger of
      death from illness, -- done for remission of sins. [James
      v. 14, 15.]

Source : WordNet®

unction
     n 1: excessive but superficial compliments given with affected
          charm [syn: {smarm}, {fulsomeness}]
     2: smug self-serving earnestness [syn: {fulsomeness}, {oiliness},
         {oleaginousness}, {smarminess}, {unctuousness}]
     3: semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine)
        applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an
        irritation [syn: {ointment}, {unguent}, {balm}, {salve}]
     4: anointing as part of a religious ceremony or healing ritual
        [syn: {inunction}]