consecration

American  

[kon-si-krey-shuhn] / ˌkɒn sɪˈkreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of consecrating; dedication to the service and worship of a deity.

2. the act of giving the sacramental character to the Eucharistic elements of bread and wine, especially in the Roman Catholic Church.

3. ordination to a sacred office, especially to the episcopate.

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Consecration British  

/ ˌkɒnsɪˈkreɪʃən /

noun

1. RC Church the part of the Mass after the sermon during which the bread and wine are believed to change into the Body and Blood of Christ

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Other Word Forms

• deconsecration noun
• nonconsecration noun
• preconsecration noun
• reconsecration noun
• unconsecration noun

Etymology

Origin of consecration

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English consecracio(u)n, from Anglo-French, from Latin consecrātiōn-, stem of consecrātiō; equivalent to consecrate + -ion