Des"e*crate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Desecrated (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Desecrating (?).] [L. desecratus, p. p. of
desecrare (also desacrare) to consecrate, dedicate; but taken in the
sense if to
divest of a
sacred character; de- + sacrare to consecrate, fr. sacer sacred. See Sacred.] To divest of a sacred character or office; to
divert from a sacred purpose; to violate the sanctity of; to profane; to put to an unworthy use; -- the opposite of consecrate. The [Russian] clergy can not suffer corporal punishment without being previously desecrated. W. Tooke. The
founders of monasteries imprecated evil on those
who should desecrate their
donations. Salmon.
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