"oil mingled with balm," Old English chrisma, from Church Latin chrisma, from Greek khrisma "an unguent, anointing, unction," from khriein "to anoint," from PIE root *ghrei- "to rub" (cognates: Lithuanian griejù "to skim the cream off"). Chrisom "baptismal robe," is a c.1200 variant of this. Related: Chrismal; chrismatory.