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sacred

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The definition of sacred is something related to religion or something treated with great respect.

(adjective)

An example of sacred is holy water.
An example of sacred is a prized collection that you dearly love and that you expect everyone to treat carefully and respectfully.

See sacred in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

consecrated to or belonging to the divinity or a deity; holy
of or connected with religion or religious rites: a sacred song
regarded with the respect or reverence accorded holy things; venerated; hallowed
set apart for, and dedicated to, some person, place, purpose, sentiment, etc.: sacred to his memory
secured as by a religious feeling or sense of justice against any defamation, violation, or intrusion; inviolate

Origin: ME < pp. of sacren, to consecrate < OFr sacrer < L sacrare < sacer, holy < ? IE base *sak-, to sanctify, make a compact > ON sāttr, reconciled, Hittite šakliš, law, ritual

Related Forms:

sacredly adverb
sacredness noun

See sacred in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Dedicated to or set apart for the worship of a deity.
Worthy of religious veneration: the sacred teachings of the Buddha.
Made or declared holy: sacred bread and wine.
Dedicated or devoted exclusively to a single use, purpose, or person: sacred to the memory of her sister; a private office sacred to the President.
Worthy of respect; venerable.
Of or relating to religious objects, rites, or practices.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , past participle of sacren, to consecrate

Origin: , from Old French sacrer

Origin: , from Latin sacrāre

Origin: , from sacer, sacr-, sacred; see sak- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: