deconsecrate

/ˌdiːˈkɒnsɪkreɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌdiːˈkɑːnsɪkreɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)dē-ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌkrāt/ (ame, mw)

deconsecrate — verb

  • deconsecratepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • deconsecrateshe / she / it
  • deconsecratedpast simple
  • deconsecrating-ing form

1. to perform an official ceremony or legal act that removes the holy status from a

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to perform an official ceremony or legal act that removes the holy status from a building such as a church or temple, so that it may be used for non-religious purposes

例句

St. Bridget's Church was deconsecrated in 2018 after sixty years of declining attendance.

passive: be deconsecrated

The Anglican diocese deconsecrated three rural churches to cut running costs.

同義詞
  • secularize

    broader — can apply to society, education, or government, not just buildings

  • desacralize

    less formal; often used for abstract things losing sacred meaning

反義詞
  • consecrate

    to officially make a building or object holy for religious use

  • sanctify

    to set apart as holy, used more broadly for people, days, and objects

文法句型

deconsecrate + building (church, chapel, cathedral, etc.)

用法筆記

Object is almost always a religious building (church, chapel, cathedral, abbey, synagogue, temple, mosque, etc.). Frequently used in the passive voice when the agent performing the act is less important than the fact it happened.

常見錯誤

❌Vandals deconsecrated the church by smashing the altar.
✅Vandals desecrated the church by smashing the altar.
💡'deconsecrate' is a formal, official act by religious authorities; 'desecrate' means to damage or disrespect something sacred.