v.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 consecrate; set apart or observe as holy. 2 purify or free from sin. 3 make legitimate or binding by religious sanction; justify; give the colour of morality or innocence to. 4 make productive of or conducive to holiness. sanctification n. sanctifier n.
[ ME f. OF saintifier f. eccl.L sanctificare f. L sanctus holy ]