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What is the difference between sacred and holy?

sacred | holy |

Holy is a synonym of sacred.



In archaic terms the difference between sacred and holy

is that sacred is solemnly devoted, in a bad sense, as to evil, vengeance, curse, or the like; accursed; baleful while holy is a thing that is extremely holy; used almost exclusively in {{term|Holy of Holies}}.

As adjectives the difference between sacred and holy

is that sacred is set apart by solemn religious ceremony; especially, in a good sense, made holy; set apart to religious use; consecrated; not profane or common; as, a sacred place; a sacred day; sacred service while holy is dedicated to a religious purpose or a god.

As a verb sacred

is past tense of sacre.

As a noun holy is

a thing that is extremely holy; used almost exclusively in {{term|Holy of Holies}}.

sacred

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) sacred, isacred, past participle of (etyl) sacren, .

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Set apart by solemn religious ceremony; especially, in a good sense, made holy; set apart to religious use; consecrated; not profane or common; as, a sacred' place; a '''sacred''' day; ' sacred service.
  • Relating to religion, or to the services of religion; not secular; religious; as, sacred history.
  • Smit with the love of sacred song. -.
  • Designated or exalted by a divine sanction; possessing the highest title to obedience, honor, reverence, or veneration; entitled to extreme reverence; venerable.
  • Such neighbor nearness to our sacred [royal] blood Should nothing privilege him.
    Poet and saint to thee alone were given, The two most sacred names of earth and heaven. -Cowley.
  • Hence, not to be profaned or violated; inviolable.
  • Secrets of marriage still are sacred held. -.
  • Consecrated; dedicated; devoted; -- with to.
  • A temple, sacred to the queen of love. -.
  • (archaic) Solemnly devoted, in a bad sense, as to evil, vengeance, curse, or the like; accursed; baleful.
  • But, to destruction sacred and devote. -.
    Synonyms
    * (made holy) (dedicated) consecrated * divine * godly * hallowed * holy * (not to be profaned) inviolable * sacrosanct
    Antonyms
    * cursed * damned * profane * unholy * ungodly

    Etymology 2

    Verb

    (head)
  • (sacre)
  • Anagrams

    *

    holy

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Dedicated to a religious purpose or a god.
  • I'm planning to visit the holy city of Mecca this Ramadan.
  • Revered in a religion.
  • Perfect or flawless.
  • Separated or set apart from (something unto something or someone else).
  • Set apart or dedicated for a specific purpose, or for use by a single entity or person.
  • (slang) Used as an intensifier in various interjections.
  • Holy cow, I can’t believe he actually lost the race!

    Synonyms

    * (dedicated to a religious purpose or a god) sacred * (revered in a religion) sacred * faultless, flawless, perfect * (separated or set apart from something) sanctified * (set apart or dedicated for a specific purpose) reserved, special

    Antonyms

    * (dedicated to a religious purpose or a god) * (revered in a religion) profane, secular, unholy, worldly * damaged, defective, faulty, flawed, imperfect * (separated or set apart from something) * (set apart or dedicated for a specific purpose) common

    Derived terms

    * holiest of holies * holiness * holy cats * holy cow * holy crap * Holy Ghost * Holy Grail * Holy of Holies * holy mackerel * holy moly, holy moley * holy Moses * holy mother of God * Holy See * holy shit * holy smoke * holy snakes * Holy Spirit * holy Toledo * Holy Trinity * holy war * holy water * Holy Week

    Noun

    (holies)
  • (archaic) A thing that is extremely holy; used almost exclusively in (Holy of Holies).
  • * Franz von Reber, Joseph Thacher Clarke, History of Ancient Art (1882) p. 146:
  • The holy of holies, a cubical space of ten cubits on the side, was separated from the larger antechamber by four columns, which were also covered with gold and stood upon silver sockets; they bore a second curtain of four colors.

    Derived terms

    * holiest of holies * Holy of Holies