holy

The definition of holy is religiously sacred or dedicated to God and religion.

(adjective)

  1. An example of holy used as an adjective is the phrase Holy Eucharist which means the bread and body of Christ given at Communion.
  2. An example of a holy person is Mother Theresa.

Holy is defined as a place of worship.

(noun)

An example of holy is a church.

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See holy in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective holier, holiest

  1. dedicated to religious use; belonging to or coming from God; consecrated; sacred
  2. spiritually perfect or pure; untainted by evil or sin; sinless; saintly
  3. regarded with or deserving deep respect, awe, reverence, or adoration
  4. Slang very much of a: a generalized intensive: a holy terror

Origin: ME holie < OE halig (akin to Ger heilig) < base of OE hal, sound, happy, whole: first used in OE as transl. of L sacer, sanctus, in the Vulg.

noun pl. holies

a holy thing or place

See holy in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective ho·li·er, ho·li·est
  1. Belonging to, derived from, or associated with a divine power; sacred.
  2. Regarded with or worthy of worship or veneration; revered: a holy book.
  3. Living according to a strict or highly moral religious or spiritual system; saintly: a holy person.
  4. Specified or set apart for a religious purpose: a holy place.
  5. Solemnly undertaken; sacrosanct: a holy pledge.
  6. Regarded as deserving special respect or reverence: The pursuit of peace is our holiest quest.
  7. Informal Used as an intensive: raised holy hell over the mischief their children did.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English holi

Origin: , from Old English hālig; see kailo- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • hoˈli·ly adverb
  • hoˈli·ness noun

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