Main Entry: des·e·crate

Pronunciation: \ˈde-si-ˌkrāt\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): des·e·crat·ed; des·e·crat·ing

Etymology: de- + -secrate (as in consecrate)

Date: 1675

1 : to violate the sanctity of : profane <desecrate a shrine>
2 : to treat disrespectfully, irreverently, or outrageously <the kind of shore development…that has desecrated so many waterfronts — John Fischer>

— des·e·crat·er or des·e·cra·tor \-ˌkrā-tər\ noun