I. ˈsakrəmənt noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English sacrement, sacrament, from Old French & Late Latin; Old French sacrement, sacrament, fr Late Latin sacramentum, from Latin, oath of allegiance, solemn obligation, sacramentum, from sacrare to consecrate + -mentum -ment — more at sacred
1. : a religious act, ceremony, or practice that is considered especially sacred as a sign or a symbol of a deeper reality ; especially : one of various Christian acts, ceremonies, or practices distinguished from other Christian rites as having been instituted, observed, or recognized by Jesus Christ
2. usually capitalized : the Christian Eucharist, Holy Communion, or Lord's Supper ; specifically : the consecrated Host in Roman Catholicism
3.
a. : something sacred in character or significance : a spiritual sign, seal, or bond (as a covenant held to exist between God and man)
b. : something that has the significance of a deeply religious act or observance
II. -ˌment, -_mənt — see -ment II transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to make holy or sacred
a sacramented covenant