Word of the Day: SACROSANCT Pronunciation:UK/ˈsæk.rə.sæŋkt/ or US/ˈsæk.rə.sæŋkt/
Meaning:
'Sacrosanct' means something that is considered extremely sacred, important, or untouchable and therefore should not be interfered with, criticised, or changed.
Examples for daily usage:
- Dinner time with my family is sacrosanct.
- Her morning yoga routine is sacrosanct
Also read May 31 word of the day
Origin and history:
The word "sacrosanct" originates from the Latin term "sacrosanctus," which means "hallowed by a sacred rite."
It is a combination of two root words:
Sacro: The ablative case of sacrum, meaning "a sacred rite".
Sanctus: The past participle of "sancire," meaning "to make sacred" or "to make inviolable."
In ancient Rome, the word described laws, places, or oaths that were protected by religious sanctions and immune from violation. Today, the adjective refers to any custom, principle, or routine that is considered too important, sacred, or valuable to be changed, criticised, or questioned.
Cultural significance and modern usage:
Sacrosanct cultural significance refers to traditions, beliefs, or practices that a society deems inviolable, holy, and completely immune to change, question, or interference. Such elements bind communities together, providing a shared foundation of identity and unassailable moral values
They cannot be trespassed upon, broken, or altered without severe societal or moral consequences.
They are typically placed above debate or modernisation.
From a sociological standpoint, sacrosanct values act as the anchor of group identity and solidarity.
Interesting facts:
- In ancient Rome, violating something declared sacrosanct was not just disrespectful-it was a crime.
- Something sacred is holy, but something sacrosanct is often considered both holy and protected from violation.
Examples from literature:
- And when I did see him, it was usually for dinner, when Mom or Laleh were around to provide a buffer, or for Star Trek, which was sacrosanct. - Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
- She was required to wear a ridiculous uniform and creep around the house as quietly as a mouse, lest she disturb the judge in his seemingly endless and sacrosanct deliberations. - The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
- With its purification rituals and its imperial roots, sumo is sacrosanct in a way that American sports will never be.-Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt
- He answered in a whisper too, as if his writing had become something hallowed and had made the room itself sacrosanct. -Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Synonyms:
- Sacred
- Holy
- Inviolable
- Unassailable
- Untouchable
- Pure
Antonyms:
- Blasphemous
- Irreverent
- Profane
- Sacrilegious
Read more word of the day here