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 respect
3 : of or relating to religion : not secular or profane <sacred music>
4 archaic : accursed
5 a : unassailable, inviolable b : highly valued and important <a sacred responsibility>

— sa·cred·ly adverb

— sa·cred·ness noun