Meanings
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1
adj
relating to or situated near the sacrum at the base of the spine
The scan revealed pressure on a sacral nerve near the pelvis.
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2
adj
regarded as sacred or connected with religious rites and authority
The manuscript had both legal and sacral importance to the community.
Thesaurus
Etymology
The anatomical adjective comes from New Latin sacralis, based on sacrum, a shortening of Latin os sacrum, 'sacred bone.' The religious adjective comes directly from Latin sacer or sacrum, 'sacred.' The two senses are historically related even though modern use treats them as distinct technical meanings.