consecrate

²consecrate

verb

consecrat·edconsecrat·ing

Definition of CONSECRATE

transitive verb

1

: to induct (a person) into a permanent office with a religious rite; especially : to ordain to the office of bishop

2

a : to make or declare sacred; especially : to devote irrevocably to the worship of God by a solemn ceremony b : to effect the liturgical transubstantiation of (eucharistic bread and wine) c : to devote to a purpose with or as if with deep solemnity or dedication

3

: to make inviolable or venerable <principles consecrated by the weight of history>

— con·se·cra·tive \-ˌkrā-tiv\ adjective

— con·se·cra·tor \-ˌkrā-tər\ noun

— con·se·cra·to·ry \ˈkän(t)-si-krə-ˌtȯr-ē, -ˌkrā-tə-rē\ adjective

Examples of CONSECRATE

1. <a philanthropist who consecrated his considerable fortune to an array of charitable causes>
2. <plans to consecrate the altar in the new church with great ceremony>

Origin of CONSECRATE

Middle English, from Latin consecratus, past participle of consecrare, from com- + sacrare to consecrate — more at sacred

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CONSECRATE

Synonyms: allocate, devote, dedicate, earmark, give up (to), reserve, save, set by

Antonyms: deconsecrate, desacralize, desanctify

Related Words: bless, hallow, sanctify; commit, confide, consign, entrust (also intrust); apply, bestow, employ, use

Near Antonyms: ignore, neglect; misapply, misuse

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at devote

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary