Literary notes about anoint (AI summary)
The word "anoint" has been employed in literature in a variety of contexts ranging from the sacred to the prosaic. In some works, such as those by Thomas Jefferson ([1], [2]) and James Joyce ([3]), it conveys traditional, ceremonial rites—whether in the sanctification of a person or in the consecration of oil—while ancient texts like Homer's Odyssey ([4], [5]) reveal its role in rituals of cleansing and transformation. Meanwhile, a recurring proverb found in multiple sources ([6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11]) uses the concept of anointing in a witty or ironic caution about dealing with villains. Additionally, other texts employ the term to describe medicinal, everyday, or even humorous practices—from the practical application of oils for treatment ([12], [13], [14], [15]) to symbolic healing as seen in Arthurian legends ([16], [17], [18]). This range of examples underscores not only the rich semantic evolution of "anoint" but also its adaptability to various genres and cultural nuances.
- Cremelen , v. to anoint with oil or fat, MD; y-crymyled , pp.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - cresmeler , to anoint with holy oil.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - Now time lay between: the oils of ordination would never anoint his body.
— from A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce - " "My dear child," answered Eurynome, "all that you have said is true, go and tell your son about it, but first wash yourself and anoint your face.
— from The Odyssey by Homer - Then, at day break wash him and anoint him again, that he may sit in the cloister and take his meals with Telemachus.
— from The Odyssey by Homer - [424] Anoint a villain and he will prick you, prick a villain and he will anoint you,
— from A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs - Anoint a villain and he will prick you, prick a villain and he will anoint you.
— from A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs - Anoint a villain, he will prick you: prick a villain, and he will anoint you (Ungentem pungit, pungentem rusticus ungit.).
— from Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelais - [424] Anoint a villain and he will prick you, prick a villain and he will anoint you,
— from A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs - Anoint a villain and he will prick you, prick a villain and he will anoint you.
— from A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs - Anoint a villain, he will prick you: prick a villain, and he will anoint you (Ungentem pungit, pungentem rusticus ungit.).
— from Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelais - In America they extract an oil from the species of the C. Guianensis , Aubl., with which the negroes anoint themselves to keep away stinging insects.
— from The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by T. H. Pardo de Tavera - This oil is not good to use with food, but 'tis good to burn, and is also used to anoint camels that have the mange.
— from The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 1 by Marco Polo and da Pisa Rusticiano - If the hands be affected, anoint them on going to bed, and put on a pair of gloves.
— from The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness by Florence Hartley - Anoint the face with this, leave it on twenty or thirty minutes, or overnight if convenient, and wash off with warm water.
— from The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness by Florence Hartley - Then went Arthur to Gelli Wic, in Cornwall, to anoint himself, and to rest from his fatigues.
— from The Mabinogion - And anoint him with this balsam, near his heart; and if there is life in him, he will arise through the efficacy of this balsam.
— from The Mabinogion - Then a voice said to Galahad, “Son, with this blood which drippeth from the spear anoint thou the maimed king and heal him.
— from The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights by Sir James Knowles and Sir Thomas Malory
