anoint

1. (transitive) To smear or rub over with oil or an unctuous substance; also, to spread over, as oil.Examples: "He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay."; "And Fragrant Oils the ſtiffen'd Limbs anoint."Synonyms: salve, pomade, pomate, pomatumtransitive

2. (transitive) To apply oil to or to pour oil upon, etc., as a sacred rite, especially for consecration.Examples: "Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his [Aaron's] head and anoint him."; "Anoint Hazael to be king over Syria."Synonyms: salvetransitive

3. (transitive, figuratively) To choose or nominate somebody for a leading or otherwise important position, especially formally or officially, or as an intended successor.Examples: "Unlike other previous Prelates, who were swiftly anointed bishops, Francis did not follow suit. Ocáriz remained a Monsignor. In the eyes of many observers, it was a demotion of Opus Dei."figurativelytransitive

4. (transitive, historical) To mark somebody as an official ruler, especially a king or queen, as a part of a religious ceremony.historicaltransitive