unhallowed

/ʌn'hæloud/

Thân thiện

The archaeologists discovered an unhallowed burial site from a forgotten era.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not consecrated or made holy: Describes something that has not been formally dedicated to a sacred purpose or religious service.
   • Not regarded as sacred or hallowed: Refers to something that is not treated with religious reverence or considered inviolable.

Usage

• The word "unhallowed" is a formal, literary adjective, often used in religious, historical, or dramatic contexts to describe places, objects, or actions that lack sanctity. It frequently carries a negative connotation, implying profanity or desecration.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The ancient burial site was considered unhallowed ground by the local villagers.
  • They refused to perform the ceremony in such an unhallowed place.
  • His unhallowed actions were condemned by the community.

Advanced Usage

• "unhallowed hands": a poetic phrase describing hands that are not pure or sanctified, often used to imply defilement.
  • The sacred relic was not to be touched by unhallowed hands.
• "unhallowed rites": refers to ceremonies or practices that are not sanctified by an accepted religion, often considered pagan or blasphemous.
  • Legends spoke of unhallowed rites performed in the forest at midnight.

Variants and Related Words

• Unhallow (verb, archaic): To profane or desecrate; to make unholy.
  • They feared the invaders would unhallow their temple.
• Hallowed (adjective): Consecrated, holy, or greatly revered. This is the direct antonym.
  • They stood on hallowed ground.

Synonyms

• Profane: Not connected with religion or religious purposes; showing disrespect toward God or sacred things.
• Desecrated: Treated with violent disrespect; violated.
• Unconsecrated: Not made or declared sacred.
• Unsanctified: Not purified or freed from sin; not consecrated.

Antonyms

• Hallowed
• Consecrated
• Sacred
• Sanctified
• Holy

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "unhallowed ground": A very common collocation referring to land that is not consecrated, often where it is forbidden or considered bad luck to bury the dead.
  • The pirate was buried in unhallowed ground.
• "unhallowed alliance": A figurative use describing a partnership or agreement formed for impure, blasphemous, or sinister purposes.
  • The novel tells of an unhallowed alliance between the nobleman and the dark cult.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. not hallowed or consecrated

Từ đồng nghĩa

• unholy