Sacer, Sacr, Sanct

Sacrament

Definition: a formal religious act conferring a specific grace on those who receive it POS: noun Etymology: from Latin sacramentum "a consecrating" Sentence: The sacrament of Baptism in Catholicism is symbolic for the cleansing of "original sin."

Sanctum

Definition: a place of inviolable privacy POS: noun Etymology: from Latin sanctum "a holy place" Sentence: An uncharted island with no inhabitants would be a considered a sanctum due to its detached location in relation to the rest of society.

Sacristy

Definition: a room in a church where sacred vessels and vestments are kept or meetings are held POS: noun Etymology: from Latin sacrare "to make sacred, consecrate," from sacer "sacred, dedicated, holy, accursed" Sentence:The sacristy is where sacred vestments are kept.

Sanctuary

Definition: a shelter from danger or hardship POS: noun Etymology: from Late Latin sanctuarium "a sacred place, shrine" Sentence: The shelter is a sanctuary for victims of family deaths in the war.

Consecration

Definition: a solemn commitment of your life or your time to some cherished purpose (to a service or a goal) POS: noun Etymology: from com- "together" + sacrare Sentence: At Church, the Eucharist undergoes consecration so it is holy.

Sacerdotal

Definition: associated with the priesthood or priests POS: adj Etymology: from sacer "holy" + stem of dare "to give" Sentence: Sacerdotal duties are performed by priests because they are responsible for those duties.

Sacrilege

Definition: blasphemous behavior POS: noun Etymology: from sacrum "sacred object + legere "take, pick up" Sentence: Mishandling divine objects is considered sacrilege against that particular religion.

Execrate

Definition: curse or declare to be evil or anathema or threaten with divine punishment POS: verb Etymology: from ex- + sacrare "to devote to" Sentence: Exorcists execrate people possessed by demons by calling upon the divine power of God.

Sanctimonious

Definition: excessively or hypocritically pious POS: adj Etymology: from sanctus "holy" Sentence: Hypocrites who frequently and passionately preach but don't follow through with what they preach are sanctimonious.

Sacred

Definition: made or declared or believed to be holy POS: adj Etymology: from sacer "sacred, dedicated, holy, accursed" Sentence: The sacred stone is the pinnacle of the religion and is seen as divine in the eyes of its practitioners.

Sanctify

Definition: make pure or free from sin or guilt POS: verb Etymology: from sanctus "holy" + root of facere "to make" Sentence: Purgatory is the final step to sanctify a person before they are pure enough to enter heaven.

Sacrosanct

Definition: must be kept sacred POS: adj Etymology: from sacro "religious sanction" + sanctus "make sacred" Sentence: One of the Ten Commandments state that the Sabbath must be kept holy so the Sabbath is sacrosanct.

Sanction

Definition: official permission or approval POS: noun Etymology: from Latin sanctus "holy, consecrated" Sentence: The higher-ups gave the plan sanction so that it may be put into action immediately.

Sacrifice

Definition: the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc. POS: noun Etymology: from sacra "sacred rites" + root of facere "to do, perform" Sentence: The general had to sacrifice 100,000 soldiers, but in the end that sacrifice saved 900,000 more soldiers.

Sanctity

Definition: the quality of being holy POS: noun Etymology: from sanctus "holy" Sentence: Good people have this natural aura of sanctity.

Desecrate

Definition: violate the sacred character of a place or language POS: verb Etymology: de- "do the opposite of" + stem of consecrate Sentence: Religious officials might be offended if someone who is not a believer in their religion steps on what is considered to be holy ground and that person would be considered desecrating the holy ground.

Saint

Definiton: person of exceptional holiness POS: noun Etymology: from Latin sanctus "holy, consecrated" Sentence: People who have two miracles to their name are considered saints by the Catholic Church.

Sacer, Sacr, Sanct

Holy