unhallowed

American  

[uhn-hal-ohd] / ʌnˈhæl oʊd /

adjective

1. not hallowed or consecrated; not regarded as holy or sacred.

   unhallowed ground.

2. impious; unholy.

3. wicked or sinful.

   unhallowed practices.

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unhallowed British  

/ ʌnˈhæləʊd /

adjective

1. not consecrated or holy

   unhallowed ground

2. sinful or profane

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Etymology

Origin of unhallowed

before 1000; Middle English unhalewed, Old English unhālghod, ungehālghod; see un- ¹, hallowed

Explanation

Something that's unhallowed hasn't been blessed by a bishop or other religious authority. If a body is buried in "unhallowed ground," it's not a church-sanctioned cemetery or graveyard. An object, building, or piece of land that's hallowed is considered to be holy, or officially blessed by a priest or other religious authority. The words hallowed and unhallowed are used most frequently in religious speech or writing, often Catholic. A proper Catholic burial, for example, would be in hallowed ground. Both words come from the Old English halgian, "to make holy, consecrate, or ordain," related to halig, or "holy."

Example Sentences

Unhallowed by academic standing, he published Germany and Her Debts in 1923, a forecast of the European currency debacle.

From Time Magazine Archive

The dreams her awful face imparts, Unhallowed mirth destroy; Her griefs bestow on noble hearts A nobler power of joy.

From The Isle of Palms and Other Poems by Wilson, John Lyde

I hear thee breathing low Unhallowed vows to Guilt, the child of Woe: Friendless thy heart; and canst thou harbor there A wish but death—a passion but despair?

From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, Vol. VIII by Various

Unhallowed force placed him in the sacred palace of the Conclave.

From Pius IX. And His Time by Dawson, Æneas MacDonell

Unhallowed the day that ever Classicus spoke their name to thee!

From Saul of Tarsus A Tale of the Early Christians by Miller, Elizabeth