Main Entry:

²consecrate

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

consecrat·ed; consecrat·ing

Etymology:

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

Date:

14th century

1: to induct (a person) into a permanent office with a religious rite ; especially : to ordain to the office of bishop2 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 dedication3: to make inviolable or venerable <principles consecrated by the weight of history>

synonyms see devote

— 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