sacrosanct
UK[ˈsækrəʊsæŋkt]US[ˈsækroʊsæŋkt]
adj
considered too important or valuable to be interfered with or criticized
adj
(especially in a religious context) regarded as sacred and inviolable
Morpheme Breakdown
sacro
sanct
sacro
sacred
sanct
holy
Etymology
The word 'sacrosanct' is a doublet of sacredness, formed from the Latin phrase sacrosanctus, which itself is a compound of sacro (the ablative case of sacer, meaning "sacred") and sanctus (meaning "consecrated, holy"). This original phrase described something made sacred by a religious ceremony and thus protected by religious awe from violation. The term entered English in the late 16th century, carrying the legal and religious notion of inviolability. Over time, its usage expanded from strictly religious contexts to describe any principle, institution, or person considered absolutely beyond criticism or interference, preserving the core idea of being rendered untouchable by a form of supreme sanction.
Analysis
Structure: sacro (sacred) + sanct (holy)
- sacro: from Latin sacer, meaning "sacred, holy, dedicated". It functions as a combining form indicating a connection to sacredness.
- sanct: from Latin sanctus, meaning "consecrated, holy, inviolable". It functions as a root meaning holy or sacred.
Examples
The right to free speech is a sacrosanct principle in a democratic society.
In many cultures, the bond between a mother and her child is considered sacrosanct.
The editor declared the author's final manuscript sacrosanct and refused to make any further changes.