sanctity
/'sæɳktiti/
Definition
- Noun:
- The quality or state of being holy, sacred, or saintly: This refers to the inherent holiness or sacredness of a person, place, or object.
- The quality of being inviolable or deserving of the utmost respect: This refers to the condition of being so important, pure, or morally binding that it must not be attacked, questioned, or broken.
Usage and Examples
Describing a holy or sacred quality:
- The sanctity of the ancient temple was felt by all who entered.
- She led a life of great sanctity and devotion.
Describing an inviolable or morally binding principle:
- The law must respect the sanctity of human life.
- They violated the sanctity of the contract by sharing confidential information.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
"The sanctity of...": A common phrase used to emphasize the sacred or inviolable nature of something abstract.
- We must uphold the sanctity of marriage.
- The debate concerns the sanctity of the electoral process.
"An air/a sense of sanctity": Describes an atmosphere or feeling of holiness.
- The quiet chapel had an air of sanctity.
Variants and Related Words
- Sanctify (verb): To make holy or sacred; to give religious or moral authority to.
- The ceremony sanctified their union.
- Sanctification (noun): The process of making something holy.
- Sanctimonious (adjective): Making a show of being morally superior to others. (Note: This has a negative connotation, implying hypocrisy, unlike "sanctity").
- His sanctimonious lectures were off-putting.
Synonyms
- Holiness: The state of being holy.
- Sacredness: The quality of being dedicated to a religious purpose and deserving veneration.
- Inviolability: The quality of being safe from violation or infringement.
Antonyms
- Profanity: Irreverence or contempt for sacred things.
- Desecration: The act of treating a sacred place or thing with violent disrespect.
- Secularity: The state of being separate from religion.
Idioms and Common Phrases
- "Within the sanctity of...": Happening inside a place or context considered sacred or private.
- They exchanged vows within the sanctity of the church.
- To uphold/preserve/defend the sanctity of something: To protect the sacred or inviolable nature of something.
- It is the court's duty to preserve the sanctity of the law.
Noun
-
the quality of being holy
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