ho ‧ ly W3 /ˈhəʊli $ ˈhoʊ-/ BrE AmE adjective ( comparative holier , superlative holiest )
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: halig ]
1 . connected with God and religion ⇨ sacred :
the holy city of Varanasi
2 . very religious:
a holy man
3 . holy cow/mackerel etc spoken used to express feelings such as surprise or fear
4 . a holy terror informal someone, especially a child, who causes problems for other people
⇨ take (holy) orders at ↑ order 1 (18)
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THESAURUS
▪ holy [usually before noun] connected with God and religion, and therefore treated in a special way – used especially in the following phrases:
the Holy Bible
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the holy city of Mecca
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a Hindu holy man
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They believe they are fighting a holy war.
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The priest puts some holy water on the child’s head.
▪ sacred connected with God and religion, and therefore treated in a special way – used especially in the following phrases:
This place is sacred to both Jews and Muslims.
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In India, cows are considered sacred.
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the Hindu sacred texts
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sacred music
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a sacred ritual
▪ divine relating to or coming from God:
the divine right of kings
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divine justice
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divine providence
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Human love should be a reflection of divine love, and so not be selfish or cruel.
▪ spiritual relating to the soul, the spirit, and religion, and not with physical things or ordinary human activities:
Your spiritual life is far more important than any material things you could acquire.
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the spiritual leader of the Tibetans
▪ hallowed a hallowed place is considered to be very holy:
He was buried in hallowed ground.
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The Golden Temple is Sikhism’s most hallowed shrine.
▪ blessed made holy by God – used especially about saints:
the blessed Virgin Mary