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 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>

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