sacrament

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a Christian rite regarded as an outward sign of divine grace, such as baptism or the Eucharist

   The priest explained the meaning of the sacrament before the baptism began.

2. 2
   noun

   the Eucharist, especially its consecrated bread and wine

   The congregation received the sacrament during the morning service.

Simplified etymology

Sacrament, recorded in Middle English, belongs to the Latin word family based on sacer, “holy.” Sacred, sacrifice, sacrilege, and execrate are historically related through this root.

From Middle English sacrament, through Old French from Church Latin sacramentum, 'a sacred rite.' In classical Latin sacramentum meant a solemn pledge or military oath and derives from sacrare, 'to consecrate,' from sacer, 'sacred.'

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External links

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