consecration
Meaning
The act of making something holy or sacred in a religious ceremony.
The state of being dedicated to a sacred purpose or service.
Structure
Usage
The consecration of the new cathedral was attended by thousands.
The bishop performed the rite of consecration over the altar.
She viewed her work as a doctor as a form of consecration to helping others.
Etymology
The word "consecration" has a direct lineage from Latin, built upon the core concept of the sacred. It originates from the Latin verb 'consecrare', meaning "to make sacred, dedicate, devote", which itself is a compound of the intensive prefix 'con-' (thoroughly) and the verb 'sacrare' (to make holy). 'Sacrare' derives from the adjective 'sacer', meaning "sacred, holy, dedicated to a divinity". The English noun was formed by adding the suffix '-ation', which denotes an action or its result. Thus, the literal meaning of "a thorough making sacred" evolved into the modern abstract sense of the formal act of dedicating something to divine service or purpose, imbuing it with a sacred character.
Analysis
- con: A prefix from Latin 'cum', meaning "together, with, thoroughly". In this word, it intensifies the meaning of the root. - secr: A root from Latin 'sacrare' (to make sacred), derived from 'sacer' (sacred, holy). - ation: A suffix from Latin '-ationem', forming nouns of action or state from verbs.