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Webster 1913 Edition

Desecrate

Des′e-crate

,
Verb.
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.

Webster 1828 Edition

Desecrate

DESECRATE

,
Verb.
T.
[L. To consecrate, from sacred.]
1.
To divert from a sacred purpose or appropriation; opposed to consecrate; as, to desecrate a donation to a church.
2.
To divest of a sacred character or office.
The clergy-cannot suffer corporal punishment, without being previously desecrated.

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