Harry Potter Wiki
Harry Potter Wiki
No edit summary
m (clean up, typos fixed: annointing → anointing)
Line 13: Line 13:
 
|last=
 
|last=
 
}}
 
}}
'''Gregory's Unctuous Unction''' is a [[potion]] that was invented by [[Gregory the Smarmy]]. It causes the drinker to believe that whomever gave the potion to him or her is their best friend. <ref name="FWC"/>
+
'''Gregory's Unctuous Unction''' is a [[potion]] that was invented by [[Gregory the Smarmy]]. It causes the drinker to believe that whomever gave the potion to him or her is their best friend.<ref name="FWC"/>
   
 
==Etymology==
 
==Etymology==
From the English ''Unctuous'', an adjective meaning either "excessively smooth, suave or smug"<ref name="UnctuousDefinition">[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/unctuous Definitions of Unctuous, Dictionary.com]</ref> and is synonymous with "smarmy"<ref>[http://thesaurus.com/browse/smarmy?__utma=1.830477473.1303756096.1311761499.1311767740.38&__utmb=1.18.9.1311768666088&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1311767740.38.21.utmcsr=dictionary.reference.com|utmccn=(referral)|utmcmd=referral|utmctr=intoxicated%20snonyms|utmcct=/&__utmv=-&__utmk=226681757 Synonyms for Smarmy, Thesaurus.com]</ref> (and hence a clear reference to the creator). It can also mean "having an oily or soapy feel" or "of the nature of an unguent or ointment", probably referring to the texture of the potion. ''Unction'' is an English noun which can refer to one of the following three things<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/unction Definitions of Unction, Dictionary.com]</ref>: an ointment or salve, the act of annointing (especially as medical treatment or as religious rite, hence why "Extreme Unction" is a synonym for Last Rites) or something soothing - in this case, "Unction" probably refers to all three.
+
From the English ''Unctuous'', an adjective meaning either "excessively smooth, suave or smug"<ref name="UnctuousDefinition">[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/unctuous Definitions of Unctuous, Dictionary.com]</ref> and is synonymous with "smarmy"<ref>[http://thesaurus.com/browse/smarmy?__utma=1.830477473.1303756096.1311761499.1311767740.38&__utmb=1.18.9.1311768666088&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1311767740.38.21.utmcsr=dictionary.reference.com|utmccn=(referral)|utmcmd=referral|utmctr=intoxicated%20snonyms|utmcct=/&__utmv=-&__utmk=226681757 Synonyms for Smarmy, Thesaurus.com]</ref> (and hence a clear reference to the creator). It can also mean "having an oily or soapy feel" or "of the nature of an unguent or ointment", probably referring to the texture of the potion. ''Unction'' is an English noun which can refer to one of the following three things:<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/unction Definitions of Unction, Dictionary.com]</ref> an ointment or salve, the act of anointing (especially as medical treatment or as religious rite, hence why "Extreme Unction" is a synonym for Last Rites) or something soothing - in this case, "Unction" probably refers to all three.
   
 
==Behind the scenes==
 
==Behind the scenes==

Revision as of 20:54, 17 September 2013

Gregory's Unctuous Unction is a potion that was invented by Gregory the Smarmy. It causes the drinker to believe that whomever gave the potion to him or her is their best friend.[1]

Etymology

From the English Unctuous, an adjective meaning either "excessively smooth, suave or smug"[2] and is synonymous with "smarmy"[3] (and hence a clear reference to the creator). It can also mean "having an oily or soapy feel" or "of the nature of an unguent or ointment", probably referring to the texture of the potion. Unction is an English noun which can refer to one of the following three things:[4] an ointment or salve, the act of anointing (especially as medical treatment or as religious rite, hence why "Extreme Unction" is a synonym for Last Rites) or something soothing - in this case, "Unction" probably refers to all three.

Behind the scenes

  • Given the potion's etymology and its known effect, Gregory's Unctuous Unction may have an emotional side-effect similar to the Imperius Curse (whereby the victim is placed in a sort of euphoric stupor).

Appearances

Notes and references