Where does “chrism” come from?
Chrism derives from Latin chrisma, from Ancient Greek χρῖσμα, the noun form of χρίω meaning to anoint, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European gʰrēy-.
chrism (English): A mixture of oil and balm, consecrated for use as...
Definitions
- A mixture of oil and balm, consecrated for use as...
Ancestry of “chrism”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | crisme | chrism mix of oil and balsam |
| 2 | Old English | crisma | chrism |
| 3 | Medieval Latin | crisma | — |
| 4 | Ecclesiastical Latin | chrisma | — |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | χρῖσμα | anointing, unction; wall coating, plaster |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | χρίω | to rub or smear (especially the body) with oil or unguents; to anoint |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | gʰrēy- | to smear; to paint, streak, smear |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | gʰer- | to rub; to stroke; to grind |