I. ˈsānt, when a name follows (|)sānt or sə̇nt, when a name follows that begins with a consonant chiefly Brit sə̇n noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin sanctus, from Latin, sacred, pure, holy, from past participle of sancire to make sacred, ordain, establish — more at sacred
1.
a. : one officially recognized or acknowledged as preeminent for consecration, holiness, and piety especially through canonization by one of the branches of the Christian church
Saint Matthew
b. : an image of a saint
the saint was cast … eighty-two years ago — Norman Douglas
2.
a. : one of the spirits of the departed in heaven
b. : angel
Saint Michael the archangel
3.
a. : one of God's chosen people
(1) : israelite , jew ; especially : one who strictly practices his religion
Israel's saints did not defer the day — O.J.Baab
(2) : one belonging to the entire company of baptized Christians
with all the saints — 2 Cor 1:1 (Revised Standard Version)
b. usually capitalized : a member of any of various religious bodies
on either side of the preacher several female Saints — E.T.Clark
as
(1) : puritan
any news of the Saints in Amsterdam — Ben Jonson
(2) : latter-day saint
4.
a. : a person consecrated or single-heartedly dedicated to holiness, religion, or a religious task : a holy or godly person
a great saint who has given up his life for the sanctification of the Name — Maurice Samuel
some local saint , a creature who made an annual pilgrimage to some shrine — G.A.Wagner
b. : one eminent for piety, virtue, or purity of conscience
the calm, serene face of an elderly saint at a funeral service — A.N.Meckel
c. : one spiritually reborn and sanctified or undergoing spiritual rebirth
a cry of victory broke through the moaning as a saint was born — J.C.Brauer
d. : one slightly or considerably more charitable, patient, self-denying, or virtuous than the average
a reign of the saints which ordinary mortals could not live up to — A.L.Rowse
the patience of a saint
5. : a person honored after death for virtue, piety, or martyrdom
the Muslim saints
6. : a member of a 19th century English party zealously advocating emancipation of slaves
7. : a founder, illustrious example, or benefactor of an art, movement, school, or way of life
became the first precursors of symbolism and were afterwards placed among its saints — Edmund Wilson
II. ˈsānt transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English sainten, from saint, n.
1. archaic : to make blessed in or as if in heaven : beatify
2. : to recognize or designate as a saint ; specifically : to enroll among the saints by an official act : canonize
3. : to make (as a person) an object of veneration or reverence : enshrine