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Glite Dictionary
semisacred

semisacred

7.3
People treat it as partly holy but do not fully worship it
  • adjective
  • /ˌsɛmɪˈseɪkrɪd/
translation icon : semisagrado
  • The ancient relic was semisacred, revered by the villagers but not worshipped as a deity.

Examples

  • In the local tradition, certain places are considered semisacred, where people gather for special ceremonies.

  • The festival celebrated semisacred rituals that blended spiritual beliefs with everyday practices.

  • While enjoying, metaphorically at least, some sacred or semisacred attributes, the king was neither a god nor a priest.

    Academic text (1993)

  • Dancers are honored when their portraits are commissioned by semisacred or secular dance societies and displayed during public performances (Figs. 6–8, 11).

    Academic text (1990)

Synonyms

semireligious
vssemisacred
7.7

Partly like a religion but not fully part of it

is about being partly regarded as holy rather than linked to practices
quasi-religious
vssemisacred
8.3

Showing very strong belief and feeling like worship

is about being partly regarded as holy rather than merely resembling faith features

Antonyms

profane
2 6.3

Not related to religion, like everyday life or art

How Sacred

sacred
250 4.6
semisacred
7.3
secular
143 4.7
profane
  • NSFW
14 7.7

Surface Forms

semisacred positive

Morphology

semisacred = sacred (transparent) = semi + sacred

The word directly means 'partly sacred' through the productive prefix semi-.

Etymology

Semisacred comes from the prefix semi- meaning 'half' and sacred meaning 'holy', a root you also see in the word sacrifice. So a semisacred place is 'half' holy — respected or kept special, but not fully worshipped.