— consecratedness , n. — consecrator, consecrater , n. — consecratory /kon"si kreuh tawr'ee, -tohr'ee/ , consecrative , adj.
/kon"si krayt'/ , v. , consecrated, consecrating , adj.
v.t.
1. to make or declare sacred; set apart or dedicate to the service of a deity: to consecrate a new church building.
2. to make (something) an object of honor or veneration; hallow: a custom consecrated by time.
3. to devote or dedicate to some purpose: a life consecrated to science.
4. to admit or ordain to a sacred office, esp. to the episcopate.
5. to change (bread and wine) into the Eucharist.
adj.
6. consecrated; sacred.
[ 1325-75; ME consecraten consecratus (ptp. of consecrare ), equiv. to con- CON- + -secr- (var., in non-initial syllables, of sacer ) SACRED, holy + -atus -ATE 1 ]
Syn. 2. sanctify, venerate. 3. See devote .
Ant. 1. desecrate.