-ˌfī transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English sanctifien, seintifien, from Middle French sanctifier, saintifier, from Late Latin sanctificare, from Latin sanctus holy + -ficare -fy — more at saint
1. : to make sacred or holy : set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use : consecrate , hallow
God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it — Gen 2:3 (Authorized Version)
2. : to make free from sin : cleanse from moral corruption and pollution : purify
3. : to impart or impute sacredness, inviolability, title to reverence, venerability, or respect to : give sanction to
what mankind has sanctified with usage — R.M.Weaver
4. : to make efficient as the means of holiness : make productive of holiness or piety
observe the day of the sabbath, to sanctify it — Deut 5:12 (Douay Version)