consecrate meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

consecrate

verb

UK /ˈkɒnsəkɹeɪt/ · US /ˈkɑnsəkɹeɪt/

Etymology First attested in the late 14ᵗʰ century, in Middle English; inherited from Middle English consecraten (“to dedicate, consecrate (an altar, church); to ordain (a bishop), anoint (a king, a pope); to devote one to religious life”), from consecrat(e) (“consecrated”, used as the past participle of consecraten) + -en (verb-forming suffix), borrowed from Latin cōnsecrātus, perfect passive participle of cōnsecrāre, see -ate (verb-forming suffix).

To declare something holy, or make it holy by some procedure.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.1863 November 19, Abraham Lincoln, Dedicatory Remarks (Gettysburg Address)^(https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Gettysburg_Address_(Bliss_copy)), near Soldiers' National Cemetery, →LCCN, Bliss copy, page 2:

Catholicism, Christianity, Roman Catholicism Specifically To ordain as a bishop.

To commit (oneself or one's time) solemnly to some aim or task.

Synonyms: avow, behallow, bless, canonize, consecrate, dedicate, hallow, inaugurate, martyr, sacralize, sacrate, saint, sanctify
Antonyms: deconsecrate, desacralize, desecrate, profane, uncanonize, unbless, unhallow, unsaint
Derived terms: consecratedness, consecratee, consecrative, deconsecrate, disconsecrate, misconsecrate, reconsecrate, unconsecrate, unconsecrated
Related terms: consecration, sanctified

consecrate

adj

UK /ˈkɒnsəkɹət/ · US /ˈkɑnsəkɹət/

Etymology First attested in the late 14ᵗʰ century, in Middle English; inherited from Middle English consecrat(e) (“consecrated”), used as the past participle of consecraten (“to dedicate, consecrate (an altar, church); to ordain (a bishop), anoint (a king, a pope); to devote one to religious life”); see Etymology 1 and -ate (adjective-forming suffix) for more. Regular participial usage up until Early Modern English.

Archaic, Obsolete, As a participle Consecrated.

Led to the city consecrate to Mars.1791, William Cowper, Iliad, IV. 484:

Rare, As a participial adjective Consecrated, devoted, dedicated, sacred.

And that this body conſecrate to thee, By Ruffian Luſt ſhould be contaminate!c. 1594 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Comedie of Errors”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii], page 89, column 1:
They were assembled in that consecrate place.1622, Francis, Lord Verulam, Viscount St. Alban [i.e. Francis Bacon], The Historie of the Raigne of King Henry the Seventh, […], London: […] W[illiam] Stansby for Matthew Lownes, and William Barret, →OCLC:

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