/ ˈhəʊli; NAmE ˈhoʊli/ adjective ( holi·er , holi·est )
1.
[ usually before noun ] connected with God or a particular religion :
the Holy Bible / Scriptures
holy ground
a holy war (= one fought to defend the beliefs of a particular religion)
the holy city of Mecca
Islam's holiest shrine
OPP unholy
—see also holy orders
2.
good in a moral and religious way :
a holy life / man
OPP unholy
3.
[ only before noun ] ( informal ) used to emphasize that you are surprised, afraid, etc. :
Holy cow! What was that?
—see also holier-than-thou , holiness
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English hālig , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch and German heilig , also to whole .