sanctify

[sangk-tuh-fahy] /ˈsæŋk təˌfaɪ/
verb (used with object), sanctified, sanctifying.
1.
to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate.
2.
to purify or free from sin:
Sanctify your hearts.
3.
to impart religious sanction to; render legitimate or binding:
to sanctify a vow.
4.
to entitle to reverence or respect.
5.
to make productive of or conducive to spiritual blessing.
Origin
1350-1400; < Late Latin sānctificāre (see Sanctus, -ify); replacing Middle English seintefien < Old French saintifier < Latin, as above
Related forms
sanctifiable, adjective
sanctifiableness, noun
sanctifiably, adverb
sanctification, noun
sanctifier, noun
sanctifyingly, adverb
nonsanctification, noun
presanctify, verb (used with object), presanctified, presanctifying.
self-sanctification, noun
unsanctifying, adjective
Synonyms
1. bless, hallow, anoint, enshrine, exalt.
Examples from the web for sanctify
  • When necessary, the church is available to sanctify skulduggery.
  • Yet the fact that this is a market outcome does not sanctify the result.
  • Fourth, this argument would sanctify dictatorship and tyranny.
  • Proponents of affirmative action say these arguments sanctify an unjust status quo.
  • Nor their presence sanctify its exercise, or their hearts beat quick at the recital of their own deeds.
British Dictionary definitions for sanctify

sanctify

/ˈsæŋktɪˌfaɪ/
verb (transitive) -fies, -fying, -fied
1.
to make holy
2.
to free from sin; purify
3.
to sanction (an action or practice) as religiously binding: to sanctify a marriage
4.
to declare or render (something) productive of or conductive to holiness, blessing, or grace
5.
(obsolete) to authorize to be revered
Derived Forms
sanctifiable, adjective
sanctification, noun
sanctifier, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Late Latin sanctificāre, from Latin sanctus holy + facere to make
Word Origin and History for sanctify
v.

late 14c., seintefie "to consecrate," from Old French saintefier "sanctify" (12c., Modern French sanctifier), from Late Latin sanctificare "to make holy," from sanctus "holy" (see saint (n.)) + root of facere "to make" (see factitious). Form altered in English c.1400 to conform with Latin. Meaning "to render holy or legitimate by religious sanction" is from c.1400; transferred sense of "to render worthy of respect" is from c.1600. Related: Sanctified; sanctifying.