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sanctify

 - 3 dictionary results

sanc⋅ti⋅fy

  [sangk-tuh-fahy]
Use sanctify in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -fied, -fy⋅ing.
1. to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate.
2. to purify or free from sin: Sanctify your hearts.
3. to impart religious sanction to; render legitimate or binding: to sanctify a vow.
4. to entitle to reverence or respect.
5. to make productive of or conducive to spiritual blessing.
Origin:
1350–1400; < LL sānctificāre (see Sanctus, -ify ); r. ME seintefien < OF saintifier < L, as above

Related forms:
sanc⋅ti⋅fi⋅a⋅ble, adjective
sanc⋅ti⋅fi⋅a⋅ble⋅ness, noun
sanc⋅ti⋅fi⋅a⋅bly, adverb
sanc⋅ti⋅fi⋅ca⋅tion, noun
sanc⋅ti⋅fi⋅er, noun
sanc⋅ti⋅fy⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. bless, hallow, anoint, enshrine, exalt.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To sanctify
sanc·ti·fy   (sāngk'tə-fī')   
tr.v.   sanc·ti·fied, sanc·ti·fy·ing, sanc·ti·fies

  1. To set apart for sacred use; consecrate.

  2. To make holy; purify.

  3. To give religious sanction to, as with an oath or vow: sanctify a marriage.

  4. To give social or moral sanction to.

  5. To make productive of holiness or spiritual blessing.


[Middle English seintefien, sanctifien, from Old French saintifier, from Late Latin sānctificāre : Latin sānctus, holy, from past participle of sancīre, to consecrate; see sak- in Indo-European roots + Latin -ficāre, -fy.]
sanc'ti·fi·ca'tion (-fĭ-kā'shən) n., sanc'ti·fi'er 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

sanctify 
1390, seintefie "to consecrate," from O.Fr. saintifier (12c.), from L.L. sanctificare "to make holy," from sanctus "holy" (see saint) + root of facere "to make" (see factitious). Form altered to conform with Latin. Meaning "to render holy or legitimate by religious sanction" is from 1402; transf. sense of "to render worthy of respect" is from 1606.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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