sanctity

/'sæɳktiti/

Thân thiện

The priest spoke of the sanctity of the ancient temple.

Definition

1. 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.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the quality of being holy

Từ đồng nghĩa

• holiness
• sanctitude