Sacred

Definition

"Sacred" describes something regarded with great respect and reverence, especially in a religious or spiritual context. It refers to anything considered holy, divine, or dedicated to a religious purpose and deserving veneration.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈseɪkrɪd/
• Respelling: SAY-krid (with "SAY" as in "say," and "krid" rhyming with "rid")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈseɪkrɪd/
• Respelling: SAY-krid (similar to American English, with "SAY" as in "say," and "krid" rhyming with "rid")

In both dialects, "sacred" is pronounced with a long "a" sound in the first syllable, followed by a short "i" sound in the second syllable, making the pronunciation consistent across both American and British English.

Etymology

The term "sacred" comes from the Latin "sacer," meaning "set apart, devoted, consecrated," indicating something that is dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity. The prefix "sacr-" relates to religious or holy things, and the suffix "-ed" indicates having a particular quality, forming an adjective from the base noun.

Derivatives

• Sacredness (noun)
• Sacredly (adverb)

Synonyms

• Holy
• Divine
• Consecrated

Antonyms

• Profane
• Secular
• Unholy

Usage

• In a religious context: "The sacred texts of the religion are kept in the temple."
• More broadly: "The constitution holds a sacred status in the nation's legal system."

Related Terms

• Sanctity: The state or quality of being holy, sacred, or saintly.
• Sacrament: A religious ceremony or act of the Christian Church that is regarded as an outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual divine grace.
• Sanctuary: A sacred or holy place.

Detailed Definition

As an Adjective:

• Dedicated to or set apart for the worship of a deity: "The sacred temple is a place of pilgrimage for many."
• Worthy of religious veneration: "The sacred relics are displayed to the public during special ceremonies."
• Made or declared holy: "The sacred ground where the prophets walked is now a monument."
• Devoted exclusively to one service or use, especially in a religious context: "The sacred music was composed specifically for the church service."
• Entitled to reverence and respect, often implying a taboo against desecration: "The flag is considered a sacred symbol of the nation."