chrism
/ˈkɹɪz(ə)m/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: 1.79 in modern English
13
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
1
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A mixture of oil and balm, consecrated for use as an anointing fluid in certain Christian ceremonies, especially confirmation.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "A reinforcement of fresh troops staggered in, one man soaked and dripping, his hair sticky with the chrism of poured beer, another with his pockets crammed with sauce-bottles."
- "I observe no confirmation of this reversal and Pole specifically restored chrisms in 1555 (Cardwell, op. cit. i. 147)."
- "‘The King,’ Will cried, ‘is my master and bathed in the chrism of the Lord God.’"
- "For Christian examples of condensed symbols, consider the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist and the Chrisms."
- "He was more dangerous than the plump satisfied ones, he was so sure of the value of his witchcraft, the holy oils and chrisms and unctions."
- "Miraculously moist, the chrism was kept in an ampulla in Reims cathedral where the coronations of the kings of France were held."
Etymology
From Middle English crisme, from Late Old English crisma, from Medieval Latin crisma, from Ecclesiastical Latin chrisma, from Ancient Greek χρῖσμα (khrîsma, “anointing”, “unction”), from χρίω (khríō, “anoint”).