odour of sanctity
Britishnoun
Etymology
Origin of odour of sanctity
C18: originally, the sweet smell said to be exhaled by the bodies of dead saints
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Indeed, they have imparted such an air of gravity, and such an odour of sanctity, to the establishment as must have had a steadying effect on their less sombre companions.
From Mushrooms on the Moor by Boreham, Frank
The man who purges the Black House of the fiend, so please you, my Lord," said Dauntrees, "should possess more odour of sanctity than I doubt will be found under our soldier's jerkins.
From Rob of the Bowl, Vol. I (of 2) A Legend of St. Inigoe's by Kennedy, John P.
Such is the odour of sanctity of this venerable church that there is an old local saying that “to be thrice prayed for in the kirk of Birnie will either mend or end ye.”
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3 "Electrostatics" to "Engis" by Various
He died in all the odour of sanctity three days ago, and was buried yesterday.
From Olla Podrida by Marryat, Frederick
St. Erkenwald departed at last in the odour of sanctity at his sister's convent at Barking.
From Old and New London Volume I by Thornbury, Walter
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
