I. ˈsākrə̇d adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from past participle of sacren to consecrate, from Old French sacrer, from Latin sacrare, from sacr-, sacer sacred, holy, cursed; akin to Latin sancire to make sacred, Hittite saklais rite, custom
1. : consecrated
the sacred elements of the Eucharist
2.
a. : dedicated or set apart (as to the honor or veneration of a deity, group, or person) — usually used with to
a tree sacred to Jupiter
b. : devoted exclusively to the service or use (as of a particular person, purpose, or group) — usually used with to
a fund sacred to charity
a study sacred to the chairman
3.
a. : holy or hallowed especially by association with the divine or consecrated : worthy of religious veneration
the sacred name of Jesus
Jerusalem's sacred soil
a sacred memory
b. : entitled to reverence and respect : venerable
sacred old age
4. : religious in nature, association, or use : not secular or profane
sacred vestments
sacred history
5. obsolete : accursed , consuming
6. : organized around ceremonial and traditionalistic values and patterns to the exclusion of new ones
a sacred society of medieval times
— contrasted with secular
II. noun
( -s )
obsolete : a sacred rite or oblation