sacred

Adjective

sacred (comparative more sacred, superlative most sacred)

1. Characterized by solemn religious ceremony or religious use, especially, in a positive sense; consecrated, made holy.
   • a sacred place
   • a sacred day

   Synonyms:

   consecrated, divine, godly, hallowed, blessed, celestial, devoutful, heavenly, holy, sanctimonious

   Antonyms:

   profane, unholy

2. Religious; relating to religion, or to the services of religion; not secular
   • Smit with the love of sacred song.1667, John Milton, Paradise Lost
   • By way of example, it would be sufficient to refer to Sabino Samele acquaviva (1971), previously known for his theory of the eclipse of the sacred, and to Harvey cox (1968), prophet of the secular city.2015, Douglas J. Davies, Adam J. Powell, Sacred Selves, Sacred Settings: Reflecting Hans Mol, →ISBN, page 87
3. Spiritual; concerned with metaphysics.
   • Unlike most metaphysical or philosophical naturalists who reject any supernatural beings or supernatural/sacred entities, naturalists who take the concept of the sacred seriously must answer this question: “What is the value of the sacred with respect to nature?"2014, Leon Niemoczynski, Nam T. Nguyen, A Philosophy of Sacred Nature: Prospects for Ecstatic Naturalism, →ISBN
   • In his major studies, Eliade explains the sacred and profane as “two modes of being in the world, two existential situations assumed by man in the course of history. . . . In the last analysis, the sacred and profane modes of being depend upon the different positions that man has conquered in the...2014, Elazar Barkan, Karen Barkey, Choreographies of Shared Sacred Sites, →ISBN
4. 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.1595, William Shakespeare, King Richard II
   • Poet and saint to thee alone were given, The two most sacred names of earth and heaven.1656, Abraham Cowley, On The Death Of Mr. Crashaw

   Synonyms:

   honoured, revered, venerated, admired, applauded, blessed, distinguished, eminent, esteemed, feared

5. Not to be profaned or violated; inviolable.
   • Secrets of marriage still are sacred held.1701, John Dryden, Aurenge-Zebe: Or, The Great-Mogul
   • The sacred project of sociology is simply to help people enjoy being fully what they are.2014, Christian Smith, The Sacred Project of American Sociology, →ISBN

   Synonyms:

   inviolable, sacrosanct

6. Consecrated; dedicated; devoted
   • A temple, sacred to the queen of love.1700, John Dryden, Palamon and Arcite

   Synonyms:

   consecrated

7. (archaic) Solemnly devoted, in a bad sense, as to evil, vengeance, curse, or the like; accursed; baleful.
   • But, to destruction sacred and devote.1667, John Milton, Paradise Lost