consecrated
Consecrated (adjective) means Formally declared sacred and set apart for religious use. Example: “He was buried in consecrated ground.”
How to Use Consecrated
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOfficially made holy and set aside for religious use.
Religious and formal; the figurative sense of devoting something entirely to a cause is literary.
Consecrate takes "to" for the purpose: consecrated to the memory of the fallen.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was buried in _____ ground.
Etymology
From Latin consecrare "to make sacred", from con- (intensive) and sacrare "to dedicate", from sacer "sacred".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for consecrated
See all rhymes for consecrated →Frequently Asked Questions
What is consecrated ground?
It is land, usually a churchyard or part of a cemetery, that has been formally blessed and set apart for burial according to a religious rite. Historically some churches refused burial there to people outside the faith, and the phrase still carries that weight in literature.
What is the difference between consecrated and blessed?
A blessing asks for favour or protection and can be given to almost anything, from a meal to a fishing fleet. Consecration is a formal, usually once-only act that permanently sets a person, building or object apart for sacred use. All consecration involves blessing; not all blessing consecrates.
Can a church be unconsecrated?
Yes. When a church is closed or sold for another use, many denominations hold a service of deconsecration, formally releasing the building from sacred use so it can become a home, a shop or a concert hall.