sacred
sacred
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "sacred" is /ˈseɪ.krɪd/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
sac - /seɪ/
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative
/eɪ/ - diphthong (mid-front to high-mid front)
red - /krɪd/
/k/ - voiceless velar stop
/r/ - alveolar approximant
/ɪ/ - near-high near-front unrounded vowel
/d/ - voiced alveolar stop
Word Form Variations
"Sacred" itself doesn't have typical singular/plural variations like a noun. It's primarily an adjective.
sacred: (adjective) - Describing something holy or revered. This is the base form.
sacredly: (adverb) - In a sacred manner.
sacredness: (noun) - The state of being sacred. This is an abstract noun, not usually used in a plural form. You wouldn't say "sacrednesses."
consecrate: (verb) - To make something sacred. (Related, but a different word family)
consecration: (noun) - The act of making something sacred. (Related, but a different word family)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective:
sacred: Dedicated to a deity or religious purpose; worthy of reverence or respect due to its association with the divine or something considered ultimately important. Also, sometimes used more broadly to describe something held in the highest regard, even if not explicitly religious.
Synonyms: holy, hallowed, consecrated, divine, blessed, revered, venerated, inviolable, sacrosanct
Antonyms: profane, secular, mundane, irreverent, impious, desecrated, violated
Adverb:
sacredly: In a manner that shows deep reverence or respect; with religious devotion or profound solemnity.
Synonyms: reverently, devoutly, piously, respectfully, solemnly
Antonyms: irreverently, profanely, disrespectfully, casually, lightly
Noun:
sacredness: The quality or state of being sacred; the condition of being dedicated to a religious purpose or worthy of profound respect. Often refers to the abstract concept rather than a countable thing.
Synonyms: holiness, sanctity, divinity, reverence, venerability, inviolability
Antonyms: profanity, secularity, mundaneness, irreverence, impiety
Verb (related word, not a form of "sacred" but important to understanding the concept):
consecrate: To make something sacred; to dedicate formally to a religious or holy purpose; to set apart as worthy of veneration. Can also mean to dedicate something to a particular purpose with great seriousness.
Synonyms: hallow, sanctify, bless, dedicate, devote, set apart
Antonyms: desecrate, profane, violate, undedicate, dishonor
Noun (related word):
consecration: The act of consecrating; the state of being consecrated.
Synonyms: sanctification, dedication, blessing, investiture
Antonyms: desecration, profanation
Examples of Use
Books:
"The sacred texts of Hinduism include the Vedas and the Upanishads." (General knowledge reference)
"She felt a sacred duty to protect the ancient artifacts." (Fictional narrative)
"His work explored the sacredness of nature." (Academic or philosophical text)
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"The ancient burial ground is considered sacred by the indigenous people." (News article about land rights) (Hypothetical example)
"The museum displays artifacts of great historical and sacred significance." (Museum website or article) (Hypothetical example)
"The consecration of the new cathedral will take place next month." (Local news report) (Hypothetical example)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"Many cultures have sacred dances performed in religious ceremonies." (Documentary about cultural traditions) (Hypothetical example)
"The movie depicted the hero's sacred quest." (Film review or synopsis) (Hypothetical example)
"The song lyrics referred to a sacred love." (Music review or analysis) (Hypothetical example)
"This land is sacred." (Dialogue from a video game) (Hypothetical example)
General Public Discourse:
"I hold my family's traditions as sacred." (Everyday conversation)
"Freedom of speech is a sacred right." (Political discourse)
"The memory of those who died in the war is sacred." (Memorial speech)
"He spoke sacredly about his spiritual experiences." (Testimonial or interview) (Hypothetical example)
10 Famous Quotes Using Sacred
"Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind." — Ralph Waldo Emerson
"The most sacred thing is to be able to shut your door and be alone with your thoughts." — Virginia Woolf
"There is nothing sacred in war—only sorrow." — Ernest Hemingway
"Silence is sometimes the most sacred response." — Elie Wiesel
"The earth is what we all have in common—it is sacred." — Wendell Berry
"Our sacred duty is to leave the world better than we found it." — Barack Obama
"Family is sacred. It’s the compass that guides us." — Michelle Obama
"Freedom of speech is sacred, even when it’s uncomfortable." — Noam Chomsky
"To hold a child in your arms is to touch something sacred." — Mother Teresa
"Love is the sacred flame that lights the darkest path." — Maya Angelou
Etymology
The word "sacred" comes to us from Latin, specifically the word sacer. Sacer meant "holy," "consecrated," or "dedicated to the gods." Think of it as something set apart for a special, religious purpose.
It's believed that sacer might have its roots even further back in an older Indo-European word, but that's getting into very ancient linguistic territory.
The first recorded use of "sacred" in English was sometime in the 1300s. It carried the same basic meaning as its Latin ancestor: something dedicated to a religious purpose, holy, or revered. So, even back then, it was used to describe things like holy places, religious rituals, or objects associated with worship.
Over time, the meaning of "sacred" broadened a little. While it still very much relates to religious or holy things, it can also be used to describe something that's highly valued or respected, even if it's not explicitly religious. For example, we might say that freedom of speech is a "sacred" right, meaning it's something we hold in the highest regard. But the core idea of something being special, set apart, and worthy of reverence is still present in the word's meaning, tracing all the way back to that Latin sacer.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Sacred
Phrases (not strictly idioms, but common collocations):
Sacred ground: This refers to land that is considered holy or has special religious significance, often a burial site or a place of worship.
Sacred texts: The holy writings of a religion, like the Bible, the Quran, or the Vedas.
Sacred duty: A responsibility that is felt to be morally binding, almost like a religious obligation.
Sacred trust: A responsibility that is held in the highest regard and must not be betrayed.
Sacred space: A place set aside for religious practice or meditation. It can also be used more broadly to describe any space where someone feels safe and at peace.
Related expressions and concepts (using synonyms or conveying similar ideas):
Hallowed ground: Similar to "sacred ground," but often with a more historical or formal connotation.
The sanctity of life: The belief that human life is precious and should be protected.
Reverence for nature: A deep respect and awe for the natural world.
Inviolable rights: Rights that cannot be taken away or infringed upon. (Implies a kind of sacredness.)
To hold something dear: To cherish something and consider it very important. (Similar to treating something as sacred.)
Original phrases (to illustrate potential usage):
"The artist felt a sacred fire to create." (Metaphorically using "sacred" to describe a passionate drive.)
"Her grandmother's recipes were a sacred inheritance." (Using "sacred" to emphasize the importance of family traditions.)
"He treated his work with sacred dedication." (Highlighting the seriousness and commitment to a task.)
While "sacred" itself may not feature prominently in idioms, the concept of sacredness is woven into many expressions about values, respect, and things held in high regard.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of sacred from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
