UNCTION, n. An oiling, or greasing. The rite of extreme unction
consists in touching with oil consecrated by a bishop several parts of
the body of one engaged in dying. Marbury relates that after the rite
had been administered to a certain wicked English nobleman it was
discovered that the oil had not been properly consecrated and no other
could be obtained. When informed of this the sick man said in anger:
"Then I'll be damned if I die!"
"My son," said the priest, "this is what we fear."
-- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"
consists in touching with oil consecrated by a bishop several parts of
the body of one engaged in dying. Marbury relates that after the rite
had been administered to a certain wicked English nobleman it was
discovered that the oil had not been properly consecrated and no other
could be obtained. When informed of this the sick man said in anger:
"Then I'll be damned if I die!"
"My son," said the priest, "this is what we fear."
-- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"
Related:
- RITE, n. A religious or semi-religious ceremony fixed by law,
precept or custom, with the essential oil of sincerity... - OVATION, n. n ancient Rome, a definite, formal pageant in honor of
one who had been disserviceable to the enemies of the nation.
A lesser "triumph." In modern English the word is... - AVERNUS, n. The lake by which the ancients entered the infernal
regions.
The fact that access to the infernal regions was obtained... - ADVICE, n. The smallest current coin.
"The man was in such deep distress,"
Said Tom,
"that I could do no less Than give him good advice... - HADES, n. The lower world; the residence of departed spirits;
the place where the dead live. Among the ancients... - Interpreter, n.: One who enables two persons of different languages to
understand each other by repeating to each what it would have been to the
interpreter's advantage for the other to have said.
Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's... - DAY, n. A period of twenty-four hours, mostly misspent.
This period is divided into two parts, the day proper...
