Definition of sanctify

< sancta

sanctimonious >

sanc·ti·fy    (sngkt-f) KEY 

TRANSITIVE VERB:
sanc·ti·fied, sanc·ti·fy·ing, sanc·ti·fies

1. To set apart for sacred use; consecrate.
2. To make holy; purify.
3. To give religious sanction to, as with an oath or vow: sanctify a marriage.
4. To give social or moral sanction to.
5. To make productive of holiness or spiritual blessing.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English seintefien, sanctifien, from Old French saintifier, from Late Latin snctificre : Latin snctus, holy, from past participle of sancre, to consecrate; see sak- in Indo-European roots + Latin -ficre, -fy

OTHER FORMS:
sancti·fi·cation  (-f-kshn) KEY (Noun), sancti·fier(Noun)