sacred Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective concerned with religion or religious purposes
    • sacred texts
    • sacred rites
    • sacred music
  2. adjective satellite worthy of respect or dedication
    • saw motherhood as woman's sacred calling
  3. adjective satellite made or declared or believed to be holy; devoted to a deity or some religious ceremony or use
    consecrated; sanctified.
    • a consecrated church
    • the sacred mosque
    • sacred elephants
    • sacred bread and wine
    • sanctified wine
  4. adjective satellite worthy of religious veneration
    hallowed.
    • the sacred name of Jesus
    • Jerusalem's hallowed soil
  5. adjective satellite (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

WordNet

Sa"cred adjective
Etymology
Originally p.p. of OE. sacren to consecrate, F. sacrer, fr. L. sacrare, fr. sacer sacred, holy, cursed. Cf. Consecrate, Execrate, Saint, Sextion.
Definitions
  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 oflove. 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.
    Syn. -- Holy; divine; hallowed; consecrated; dedicated; devoted; religious; venerable; reverend. -- Sa"cred*ly adv. -- Sa"cred*ness, n.

Webster 1913