chrism
2 synonyms for chrism, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A blessed mixture of oil and balm used for anointing in certain Christian ceremonies, particularly confirmation.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
myrrh
muron
How to use chrism
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
holy chrism
anoint with chrism
consecrate the chrism
a vessel of chrism
chrism oil
Chrism is a formal, religious term used mainly in Christian liturgical contexts.
Etymology
The word passed through Middle English crisme from Old English crisma, which came from Medieval Latin crisma and, before that, Ecclesiastical Latin chrisma. It ultimately goes back to the Ancient Greek word for anointing, khrîsma, related to the verb khríō, meaning to anoint.
Full origin of chrism →Frequently asked questions
What is chrism used for?
Chrism is a consecrated oil-and-balm mixture used to anoint people in certain Christian ceremonies, especially confirmation.
Is chrism the same as holy oil?
Chrism is a specific type of holy oil, consecrated and blended with balm for use in anointing.
Where does the word chrism come from?
It ultimately comes from the Ancient Greek word for anointing, khrîsma, passing through Latin and Old and Middle English into modern spelling.
