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consecrate

[kon-si-kreyt] /ˈkɒn sɪˌkreɪt/
verb (used with object), consecrated, consecrating.
1.
to make or declare sacred; set apart or dedicate to the service of a deity:
to consecrate a new church building.
2.
to make (something) an object of honor or veneration; hallow:
a custom consecrated by time.
3.
to devote or dedicate to some purpose:
a life consecrated to science.
4.
to admit or ordain to a sacred office, especially to the episcopate.
5.
to change (bread and wine) into the Eucharist.
adjective
6.
consecrated; sacred.
Origin of consecrate
Middle English
Latin
1325-1375
1325-75; Middle English consecraten < Latin consecrātus (past participle of consecrāre), equivalent to con- con- + -secr- (variant, in non-initial syllables, of sacer) sacred, holy + -ātus -ate1
Related forms
consecratedness, noun
consecrator, consecrater, noun
consecratory
[kon-si-kruh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ˈkɒn sɪ krəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/ (Show IPA), consecrative, adjective
deconsecrate, verb (used with object), deconsecrated, deconsecrating.
preconsecrate, verb (used with object), preconsecrated, preconsecrating.
reconsecrate, verb (used with object), reconsecrated, reconsecrating.
superconsecrated, adjective
unconsecrated, adjective
unconsecrative, adjective
Synonyms
2. sanctify, venerate.
Antonyms
1. desecrate.
Synonym Study
3. See devote.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2017.
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British Dictionary definitions for reconsecrate

consecrate

/ˈkɒnsɪˌkreɪt/
verb (transitive)
1.
to make or declare sacred or holy; sanctify
2.
to dedicate (one's life, time, etc) to a specific purpose
3.
to ordain (a bishop)
4.
(Christianity) to sanctify (bread and wine) for the Eucharist to be received as the body and blood of Christ
5.
to cause to be respected or revered; venerate: time has consecrated this custom
adjective
6.
(archaic) consecrated
Derived Forms
consecration, noun
consecrator, noun
consecratory (ˌkɒnsɪˈkreɪtərɪ), consecrative, adjective
Word Origin
C15: from Latin consecrāre, from com- (intensive) + sacrāre to devote, from sacer sacred
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word Origin and History for reconsecrate

consecrate

v.

late 14c., from Latin consecratus, past participle of consecrare "to make holy, devote," from com- "together" (see com-) + sacrare (see sacred). Related: Consecrated; consecrating.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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