Consecratory

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Relating to the act of sanctifying or making sacred in a religious context
2. Connected with the process of formally dedicating a place or object as holy and set apart for religious purposes
3. Associated with the ceremonial act of declaring a person, place, or thing as sacred or devoted to divine use

Etymology: In Latin, "sacer" could mean both "holy" and "accursed," since anything set apart for the gods was off-limits to ordinary human use, for better or worse. The verb "consecrare" built on that root by adding "con-," an intensifying prefix, to give the sense of fully setting something apart as sacred. English took the past participle "consecratus" as the verb "consecrate." This adjective is simply that verb with the suffix "-ory," which marks something as relating to or serving a particular act. So anything consecratory has to do with the act of consecrating, such as a ritual, a formula, or a prayer that dedicates something to God.

Synonyms: sacred, holy, blessed

Antonyms: profane, unholy