saint Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization
  2. noun person of exceptional holiness
    holy person; angel; holy man.
  3. noun model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
    nonesuch; nonsuch; paragon; apotheosis; ideal; nonpareil.
  4. verb hold sacred
    enshrine.
  5. verb declare (a dead person) to be a saint
    canonize; canonise.
    • After he was shown to have performed a miracle, the priest was canonized

WordNet

Saint noun
Etymology
F., fr. L. santcus sacred, properly p.p. of sancire to render sacred by a religious act, to appoint as sacred; akin to sacer sacred. Cf. Sacred, Sanctity, Sanctum, Sanctus.
Definitions
  1. A person sanctified; a holy or godly person; one eminent for piety and virtue; any true Christian, as being redeemed and consecrated to God.
    Them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints. 1 Cor. i. 2.
  2. One of the blessed in heaven.
    Then shall thy saints, unmixed, and from the impure Far separate, circling thy holy mount, Unfeigned hallelujahs to thee sing. Milton.
  3. (Eccl.) One canonized by the church. Abbrev. St.
Saint transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Sainted; present participle & verbal noun Sainting
Definitions
  1. To make a saint of; to enroll among the saints by an offical act, as of the pope; to canonize; to give the title or reputation of a saint to (some one).
    A large hospital, erected by a shoemaker who has been beatified, though never sainted. Addison.
    Whether the charmer sinner it or saint it. Shak.
Saint intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To act or live as a saint. R. Shak.

Webster 1913