Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - anoint

 transitive verb  Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French enoint, past participle of enoindre, from Latin inunguere, from in- + unguere to smear — more at ointment  Date: 14th century  1. to smear or rub with oil or an oily substance  2.  a. to apply oil to as a sacred rite especially for consecration  b. to choose by or as if by divine election; also to designate as if by a ritual ~ment critics ~ed the author as the bright new talent  • ~er noun  • ~ment noun