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desecrate

 - 3 dictionary results

des⋅e⋅crate

  [des-i-kreyt]
Use desecrate in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -crat⋅ed, -crat⋅ing.
1. to divest of sacred or hallowed character or office.
2. to divert from a sacred to a profane use or purpose.
3. to treat with sacrilege; profane.
Origin:
1665–75; de- + -secrate, modeled on consecrate

Related forms:
des⋅e⋅crat⋅er, des⋅e⋅cra⋅tor, noun
des⋅e⋅cra⋅tion, noun

Synonyms:
3. defile, violate, dishonor, pollute, outrage.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To desecrate
des·e·crate   (děs'ĭ-krāt')   
tr.v.   des·e·crat·ed, des·e·crat·ing, des·e·crates
To violate the sacredness of; profane.

[de- + (con)secrate.]
des'e·crat'er, des'e·cra'tor n., des'e·cra'tion n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

desecrate 
1674, formed from de- "do the opposite of" + (con)secrate. O.Fr. had dessacrer "to profane," and there is a similar formation in It.; but L. desecrare meant "to make holy," with de- in this case having a completive sense.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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