Definition of "anoint"

anoint

/əˈnɔɪnt/

verb
third-person singular simple present anoints, present participle anointing, simple past and past participle anointed
1. (transitive) To smear or rub over with oil or an unctuous substance; also, to spread over, as oil.
  Quotations
  He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay.
  1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], John 9:6
  And Fragrant Oils the ſtiffen'd Limbs anoint.
  1697, Virgil, “The Sixth Book of the Æneis”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], page 371, line 315
2. (transitive) To apply oil to or to pour oil upon, etc., as a sacred rite, especially for consecration.
  Quotations
  Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his [Aaron's] head and anoint him.
  1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], Exodus 29:7
  Anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.
  1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], 1 Kings 19:15
3. (transitive, figuratively) To choose or nominate somebody for a leading or otherwise important position, especially formally or officially, or as an intended successor.
4. (transitive, historical) To mark somebody as an official ruler, especially a king or queen, as a part of a religious ceremony.