adj.
Pronunciation: ' s ā -kr ə d
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from past participle of sacren to consecrate, from Anglo-French sacrer, from Latin sacrare, from sacr-, sacer sacred; akin to Latin sancire to make sacred, Hittite š akl ā i- rite
Date: 14th century
1 a : dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity <a tree sacred to the gods> b : devoted exclusively to one service or use (as of a person or purpose) <a fund sacred to charity>
2 a : worthy of religious veneration : HOLY b : entitled to reverence and respect
3 : of or relating to religion : not secular or profane < sacred music>
4 archaic : ACCURSED
5 a : UNASSAILABLE , INVIOLABLE b : highly valued and important <a sacred responsibility>
– sa · cred · ly adverb
– sa · cred · ness noun