sacrilegious
UK/.sækri'lidʒәs/US
GREC2
Definitions
adj.
Treating something sacred with disrespect; violating what is holy
亵渎神圣的；冒犯神明的
Root Breakdown
Root-derived+
-iousfull of, having the quality of
=sacrilegious
From Latin sacrilegus = sacer (sacred) + legere (to gather, pick up) — literally 'one who gathers/steals sacred things.' The original sacrilege was the theft of temple objects; the meaning broadened to any violation of the holy. Note: it's spelled sacri-LEG-ious, not 'sacre-LIG-ious' — a classic spelling trap.
Root sacr still carries 10 more wordsUsage Guide
Spelling trap: sacrilegious is NOT spelled like religious. It comes from sacrilege (sacri + leg), so the order is -LEG- before -ious. Many writers wrongly put 'lig.'
Example Sentences
- 1.
Burning the flag was seen by many as a sacrilegious act.
- 2.
To true fans, remaking the classic film felt almost sacrilegious.