Main Entry:: sa·cred
Pronunciation:: \ˈsā-krəd\
Function:: adjective
Etymology:: Middle English, from past participle of sacren to consecrate, from Anglo-French sacrer, from Latin sacrare, from sacr-, sacer sacred; akin to Latin sancire to make sacred, Hittite šaklāi- rite
Date:: 14th century

1 a: dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity <a tree sacred to the gods> b: devoted exclusively to one service or use (as of a person or purpose) <a fund sacred to charity>2 a: worthy of religious veneration : holy b: entitled to reverence and respect3: of or relating to religion : not secular or profane <sacred music>4archaic : accursed5 a: unassailable, inviolable b: highly valued and important <a sacred responsibility>

— sa·cred·ly adverb

— sa·cred·ness noun

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