Sacralizes

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To treat or set apart as sacred or holy, often by religious or ceremonial means
2. To consecrate or honor something by declaring it sacred or of great spiritual importance
3. To elevate to a sacred status through rituals, beliefs, or recognition of holiness

Etymology: "Sacralizes" is the third-person singular form of "sacralize," so it describes someone or something that makes a thing sacred. The base verb is built from "sacral," an adjective meaning "sacred" or "relating to religious rites," which is itself a derivative of the Latin "sacer," meaning holy or set apart. Attaching the suffix "-ize" turns that adjective into a verb meaning "to make sacral." The suffix has a long journey behind it. It descends from Ancient Greek "-izein," which traveled into Late Latin as "-izare," passed through Middle French as "-iser," and reached Middle English as "-isen" before settling into the modern "-ize" spelling. English speakers have used the pattern to create verbs from many nouns and adjectives, so "sacralize" fits a long line of such formations.

Synonyms: sanctifies, consecrates, blesses, hallow, venerates

Antonyms: desecrates, profane, blaspheme, disrespect, defile