sacred

      English

      Etymology 1

      From Middle English sacred, isacred, past participle of Middle English sacren, sakeren (to make holy, hallow), equivalent to sacre +‎ -ed.

      Pronunciation

      • IPA: /ˈseɪkrɪd/
      • (file)

      Adjective

      sacred (comparative more sacred, superlative most sacred)

      1. Set apart by solemn religious ceremony; especially, in a good sense, made holy; set apart to religious use; consecrated; not profane or common; as, a sacred place; a sacred day; sacred service.
      2. Relating to religion, or to the services of religion; not secular; religious; as, sacred history.
        Smit with the love of sacred song. -John Milton.
      3. Designated or exalted by a divine sanction; possessing the highest title to obedience, honor, reverence, or veneration; entitled to extreme reverence; venerable.
        Such neighbor nearness to our sacred [royal] blood Should nothing privilege him. William Shakespeare
        Poet and saint to thee alone were given, The two most sacred names of earth and heaven. -Cowley.
      4. Hence, not to be profaned or violated; inviolable.
        Secrets of marriage still are sacred held. -Dryden.
      5. Consecrated; dedicated; devoted; -- with to.
        A temple, sacred to the queen of love. -Dryden.
      6. (archaic) Solemnly devoted, in a bad sense, as to evil, vengeance, curse, or the like; accursed; baleful.
        But, to destruction sacred and devote. -Milton.
      Synonyms
      The terms below need to be checked and allocated to the definitions (senses) of the headword above. Each term should appear in the sense for which it is appropriate. Use the template {{sense|"gloss"}}, substituting a short version of the definition for "gloss".
      Antonyms
      The terms below need to be checked and allocated to the definitions (senses) of the headword above. Each term should appear in the sense for which it is appropriate. Use the template {{sense|"gloss"}}, substituting a short version of the definition for "gloss".
      Translations

      Etymology 2

      Pronunciation

      • IPA: /ˈseɪkəd/
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      Verb

      sacred

      1. simple past tense and past participle of sacre

      Anagrams

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      Last modified on 12 June 2013, at 20:32