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# ointment

noun (an ointment, ointments; ointment — uncountable)

«ointment» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A smooth, greasy cream rubbed on the skin to heal cuts, burns, rashes or sore places. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/ointment/#m1)
2. (Bible, church) Oil or perfumed oil used for anointing, as in the Bible story where a woman pours precious ointment on Jesus's head. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/ointment/#m2)

### In the lessons

In health and first-aid lessons: put antiseptic ointment on a clean cut. Safety: only use medicine an adult gives you. Idiom: «a fly in the ointment» means one small thing that spoils something good.

### Examples

- Mum put some ointment on my grazed knee. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/ointment/#x1)
- The doctor gave me an ointment for the rash. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/ointment/#x2)
- Rub the ointment in gently. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/ointment/#x3)
- The only fly in the ointment was the rain. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/ointment/#x4)
- In the Bible a woman poured precious ointment on Jesus. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/ointment/#x5)
- Keep the ointment out of your eyes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/ointment/#x6)
- But then this wonderful ointment could not be bought at a chemist's. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/ointment/#x7)

### Note

Can be countable (different ointments) or uncountable (some ointment). Similar: cream, salve, balm, lotion (thinner).

## In Jewish tradition

The holy anointing oil was made by a special recipe and used to set apart the Tabernacle, its tools, priests and kings. In Proverbs and Song of Songs, fragrant ointment stands for joy and love.

**Interpretation.** Tradition says the holy oil was made once by Moses and was kept for sacred use only. A "good name" is likened to fine ointment.

### Examples

- Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. (Writings PRO.27.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/ointment/#x1)
- He that would hide her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand betrayeth itself. (Writings PRO.27.16, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/ointment/#x2)
- Thine ointments have a goodly fragrance; thy name is as ointment poured forth; therefore do the maidens love thee. (Writings SNG.1.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/ointment/#x3)

### Note

Can be countable (different ointments) or uncountable (some ointment). Similar: cream, salve, balm, lotion (thinner).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «ointment» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/ointment/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«ointment» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/ointment.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «ointment» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/ointment/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«ointment» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/ointment.html) on Mova free.