Con·se·crate v. t. [imp. & p. p. Consecrated; p. pr. & vb. n. Consecrating.]
1. To make, or declare to be, sacred; to appropriate to sacred uses; to set apart, dedicate, or devote, to the service or worship of God; as, to consecrate a church; to give (one's self) unreservedly, as to the service of God.
One day in the week is . . . consecrated to a holy rest. --Sharp.
2. To set apart to a sacred office; as, to consecrate a bishop.
Thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons. --Ex. xxix. 9.
3. To canonize; to exalt to the rank of a saint; to enroll among the gods, as a Roman emperor.
4. To render venerable or revered; to hallow; to dignify; as, rules or principles consecrated by time.
Syn: -- See Addict.
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consecrated
adj 1: solemnly dedicated to or set apart for a high purpose; "a
life consecrated to science"; "the consecrated
chapel"; "a chapel dedicated to the dead of World War
II" [syn: consecrate, dedicated] [ant: desecrated]
2: made or declared or believed to be holy; devoted to a deity
or some religious ceremony or use; "a consecrated chursh";
"the sacred mosque"; "sacred elephants"; "sacred bread and
wine"; "sanctified wine" [syn: sacred, sanctified]