Word of the Day, January 03: ‘Sacrilegious'

Word of the day: SACRILEGIOUS
Pronunciation:  sac·ri·le·gious UK/ˌsæk.rɪˈlɪdʒ.əs/ or US/ˌsæk.rəˈlɪdʒ.əs/

Meaning:

'Sacrilegious' refers to an action, statement, or attitude that shows disrespect or irreverence toward something considered sacred, especially in a religious context.

Origin and history:

• The word "sacrilegious" originates from the Latin word sacrilegious, which combines sacr- (meaning sacred) and legere (meaning to gather or to steal).
• Therefore, 'sacrilegious' literally means 'stealing from the sacred'. The related noun sacrilege also shares this etymology
• In ancient Israel, the Levitical code detailed rules for safeguarding what was holy, with violations often leading to severe consequences. In Greece, sacrilege was linked to treason, as temples were seen as protectors of the state.
• Roman cults were protected by taboos, and while there wasn't a direct equivalent to "sacrilege," acts against sacred things were still considered offenses.
• Sacrilege was seen as a grave offense, often met with severe punishments, including death. It was viewed as a threat to both the divine and the social order.

Cultural significance and modern usage:

Religion and identity: In many cultures, sacred objects, scriptures, temples, and rituals are deeply tied to collective identity. A sacrilegious act is often perceived not just as an insult to faith, but as an attack on community dignity and heritage.

Art and expression: What one group sees as artistic freedom, another may view as sacrilegious. This tension frequently appears in debates around literature, cinema, cartoons, and modern art—making the word highly relevant even today.

Interesting facts:

• Sacrilege doesn’t require physical damage. Words, jokes, gestures, or symbolic acts can also be considered sacrilegious.
• In ancient Greece, committing sacrilege against a temple could be treated as treason because temples safeguarded state wealth.
• What is sacrilegious in one culture may be ordinary in another. The meaning depends entirely on what a society holds sacred.
• Acts labelled 'sacrilegious' often trigger stronger emotional reactions than secular offences because they strike at deeply internalised beliefs.

Examples from literature:

• Some of the old-timers considered this sentimental and some thought it wasteful and to some it was sacrilegious since there was no provision for it in any sacred volume.- Cannery Row by John Steinbeck
• “Please. Don’t talk about it anymore. The whole business is sacrilegious. Goodness knows what degenerate uses he will find for that hat. Do you have fifteen dollars on you?”- A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

Synonyms:

• Profane
• Blasphemous
• Impious
• Sinful

Antonyms:

• Blasphemous
• impious
• secular
• Atheistic
• Irreverent

Read more word of the day here.