Main Entry:: ho·ly
Pronunciation:: \ˈhō-lē\
Function:: adjective
Inflected Form(s):: ho·li·er; ho·li·est
Etymology:: Middle English, from Old English hālig; akin to Old English hāl whole — more at whole
Date:: before 12th century

1: exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness2: divine <for the Lord our God is holy — Psalms 99:9(Authorized Version)>3: devoted entirely to the deity or the work of the deity <a holy temple> <holy prophets>4 a: having a divine quality <holy love> b: venerated as or as if sacred <holy scripture> <a holy relic>5—used as an intensive <this is a holy mess><he was a holy terror when he drank — Thomas Wolfe> ; often used in combination as a mild oath <holy smoke>

— ho·li·ly

\-lə-lē\ adverb

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