/ ˈkɒnsɪkreɪt; NAmE ˈkɑːn-/ verb
1.
[ vn ] to state officially in a religious ceremony that sth is holy and can be used for religious purposes :
The church was consecrated in 1853.
consecrated ground
2.
[ vn ] ( in Christian belief ) to make bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ
3.
consecrate sb (as) (sth) to state officially in a religious ceremony that sb is now a priest, etc. :
[ vn - n ]
He was consecrated (as) bishop last year.
[also vn ]
4.
[ vn ] consecrate sth/sb / yourself to sth ( formal ) to give sth/sb or yourself to a special purpose, especially a religious one
► con·se·cra·tion / ˌkɒnsɪˈkreɪʃn; NAmE ˌkɑːn-/ noun [ C , U ]:
the consecration of a church / bishop
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin consecrat- dedicated, devoted as sacred, from the verb consecrare , from con- (expressing intensive force) + sacrare dedicate, from sacer sacred.