Hypertext Webster Gateway: "sacred"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Sacred \Sa"cred\, a. [Originally p. p. of OE. sacren to
consecrate, F. sacrer, fr. L. sacrare, fr. sacer sacred,
holy, cursed. Cf. {Consecrate}, {Execrate}, {Saint},
{Sexton}.]
1. Set apart by solemn religious ceremony; especially, in a
good sense, made holy; set apart to religious use;
consecrated; not profane or common; as, a sacred place; a
sacred day; sacred service.
2. Relating to religion, or to the services of religion; not
secular; religious; as, sacred history.
Smit with the love of sacred song. --Milton.
3. Designated or exalted by a divine sanction; possessing the
highest title to obedience, honor, reverence, or
veneration; entitled to extreme reverence; venerable.
Such neighbor nearness to our sacred [royal] blood
Should nothing privilege him. --Shak.
Poet and saint to thee alone were given, The two
most sacred names of earth and heaven. --Cowley.
4. Hence, not to be profaned or violated; inviolable.
Secrets of marriage still are sacred held. --Dryden.
5. Consecrated; dedicated; devoted; -- with to.
A temple, sacred to the queen of love. --Dryden.
6. Solemnly devoted, in a bad sense, as to evil, vengeance,
curse, or the like; accursed; baleful. [Archaic]
But, to destruction sacred and devote. --Milton.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
sacred
adj 1: concerned with religion or religious purposes; "sacred
texts"; "sacred rites"; "sacred music" [ant: {profane}]
2: worthy of respect or dedication; "saw motherhood as woman's
sacred calling"
3: made or declared or believed to be holy; devoted to a deity
or some religious ceremony or use; "a consecrated chursh";
"the sacred mosque"; "sacred elephants"; "sacred bread and
wine"; "sanctified wine" [syn: {consecrated}, {sanctified}]
4: worthy of religious veneration; "the sacred name of Jesus";
"Jerusalem's hallowed soil" [syn: {hallowed}]
5: (often followed by `to') devoted exclusively to a single use
or purpose or person; "a fund sacred to charity"; "a
morning hour sacred to study"; "a private office sacred to
the President"
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