consecration
/ˌkɒnsɪˈkreɪʃən/
noun
Origin
Latin
consecrare — to dedicate or devote
Overview
Meaning Now
- The action of declaring or setting something apart as sacred or dedicated to a divine purpose.
- The formal act of ordaining a person as a bishop.
Literal older meaning
the act of associating with the sacred
Language path
Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
consecracion
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The concept of consecration has roots in Roman religious practice, where certain objects or lands were designated as 'sacer'. In Christian contexts, it evolved to refer specifically to the sanctification of the elements during the Eucharist and the elevation of bishops.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*sak-
“to bind, to make sacred”
- Latin
consecrare
“to dedicate to a deity”
Composed of 'com-' (together) + 'sacrare' (to make holy).
- Old French
consecracion
“act of consecrating”
- Middle English
consecracion
“act of making sacred”
Connections
Word parts
con-
prefix
together/thoroughly
secr
root
sacred/holy
-ation
suffix
action or process
Related across languages
French
consécration
consecration
Spanish
consagración
consecration
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Related to consecration
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.