from
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)
consecrated
adj 1: solemnly dedicated to or set apart for a high purpose; "a
life consecrated to science"; "the consecrated chapel";
"a chapel dedicated to the dead of World War II" [syn:
{consecrated}, {consecrate}, {dedicated}] [ant:
{desecrated}]
2: made or declared or believed to be holy; devoted to a deity
or some religious ceremony or use; "a consecrated church";
"the sacred mosque"; "sacred elephants"; "sacred bread and
wine"; "sanctified wine" [syn: {consecrated}, {sacred},
{sanctified}]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Consecrate \Con"se*crate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Consecrated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Consecrating}.]
1. To make, or declare to be, sacred; to appropriate to
sacred uses; to set apart, dedicate, or devote, to the
service or worship of God; as, to consecrate a church; to
give (one's self) unreservedly, as to the service of God.
[1913 Webster]
One day in the week is . . . consecrated to a holy
rest. --Sharp.
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2. To set apart to a sacred office; as, to consecrate a
bishop.
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Thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons. --Ex.
xxix. 9.
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3. To canonize; to exalt to the rank of a saint; to enroll
among the gods, as a Roman emperor.
[1913 Webster]
4. To render venerable or revered; to hallow; to dignify; as,
rules or principles consecrated by time. --Burke.
Syn: See {Addict}.
[1913 Webster]