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