Definition

Noun: 1. Water blessed by a religious figure: Water that has been sanctified by a priest or other religious authority through a ritual of blessing, intended for use in religious ceremonies, especially for symbolic purification, blessing, or protection.

Usage

"Holy water" is used as a non-count noun. It refers specifically to the sanctified substance itself, not the container. It is most commonly associated with Christian, particularly Catholic and Orthodox, traditions.

Examples

• The priest sprinkled holy water on the congregation at the beginning of the Mass.
• Devotees dipped their fingers in the font of holy water and made the sign of the cross.
• A small vial of holy water was kept in the home for blessings.

Advanced Usage

• "To bless with holy water": To perform a ritual act of purification or dedication using holy water.
  • The priest blessed the new house with holy water.
• "Font of holy water": The stone or metal basin, usually at the entrance of a church, that holds holy water.
  • She paused at the holy water font before entering the pew.

Variants and Related Words

• Holy Water Stoup (n): Another term for the basin or font that holds holy water.
• Aspergillum (n): The liturgical implement, often a brush or perforated ball on a handle, used to sprinkle holy water.
• Blessed water (n): A more general term that can be synonymous with holy water.

Synonyms

• Consecrated water: Water that has been made sacred through a religious rite.
• Sanctified water: Water that has been declared holy.

Related Phrases

• To take holy water: To use holy water, typically by touching it.
  • The faithful took holy water as they entered the chapel.
• Holy water sprinkler: A colloquial term for an aspergillum.

Noun

1. water that has been blessed by a priest for use in symbolic purification