Inunction is an adjective that means the act of rubbing on an oil or ointment.

The Latin word inunguare (in un GWARE ay) means ‘to smear.’ Our word of the day entered the English language in the late 15th century and has retained its same basic meaning. Here’s an example of it in use:

It took a while to understand why inunction wasn’t helping with my condition. Then it occurred to me that when the doctor recommended rubbing oil on my body, he wasn’t talking about motor oil.