sacr
Latinsacred, holy, consecrate, curse
About This Root
From Latin sacer (sacred, holy — but also accursed) and sacrāre (to make sacred). This root carries a striking duality: sacred, sacrament, sacrifice, and consecrate on the holy side; execrate (to curse) and execrable on the profane side. Desecrate (to violate something sacred) and sacrilege (theft of sacred things) bridge both poles.
Associated Words · 10
sacred
Holy and deserving great respect; connected with religion
sacrifice
Giving up something valued for a greater purpose; an offering to a deity
sacrament
A sacred religious ceremony regarded as a channel of divine grace
consecrate
To make holy through religious rites; to dedicate to a sacred purpose
desecrate
To treat something sacred with disrespect or irreverence
sacrilege
Disrespectful treatment of something sacred
sacrilegious
Showing disrespect toward something sacred
execrable
Extremely bad or hateful in quality
execrate
To feel intense loathing for; to curse or denounce
execration
An expression of hatred or a curse; deep detestation