sanc ‧ ti ‧ fy /ˈsæŋktəfaɪ, ˈsæŋktɪfaɪ/ BrE AmE verb ( past tense and past participle sanctified , present participle sanctifying , third person singular sanctifies ) [transitive]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: sanctifier , from Late Latin sanctificare , from Latin sanctus ; ⇨ ↑ saint ]
1 . to make something seem morally right or acceptable or to give something official approval:
The rule of the czar was sanctified by the Russian Orthodox Church.
2 . to make something holy
—sanctification /ˌsæŋktəfəˈkeɪʃ ə n, ˌsæŋktɪfəˈkeɪʃ ə n/ noun [uncountable]