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Definition of sanctify


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sanc·ti·fy  audio  (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.

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)


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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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