*sacr*

n. [ L. lumbus loin + E. sacral. ] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the loins and sacrum; as, the lumbosacral nerve, a branch of one of the lumber nerves which passes over the sacrum. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F., fr. LL. mazacrium; cf. Prov. G. metzgern, metzgen, to kill cattle, G. metzger a butcher, and LG. matsken to cut, hew, OHG. meizan to cut, Goth. máitan. ] 1. The killing of a considerable number of human beings under circumstances of atrocity or cruelty, or contrary to the usages of civilized people; as, the massacre on St. Bartholomew's Day; the St. Valentine's Day massacre; the Amritsar massacre; the Wounded Knee massacre. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

2. Murder. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Massacre, Butchery, Carnage. Massacre denotes the promiscuous slaughter of many who can not make resistance, or much resistance. Butchery refers to cold-blooded cruelty in the killing of men as if they were brute beasts. Carnage points to slaughter as producing the heaped-up bodies of the slain. [ 1913 Webster ]

I'll find a day to massacre them all,
And raze their faction and their family. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds,
Brhold this pattern of thy butcheries. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Such a scent I draw
Of carnage, prey innumerable! Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Massacred p. pr. & vb. n. Massacring ] [ Cf. F. massacrer. See Massacre, n. ] To kill in considerable numbers where much resistance can not be made; to kill with indiscriminate violence, without necessity, and contrary to the usages of nations; to butcher; to slaughter; -- limited to the killing of human beings. [ 1913 Webster ]

If James should be pleased to massacre them all, as Maximian had massacred the Theban legion. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who massacres. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the sacrum; in the region of the sacrum. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. sacramentum an oath, a sacred thing, a mystery, a sacrament, fr. sacrare to declare as sacred, sacer sacred: cf. F. sacrement. See Sacred. ] 1. The oath of allegiance taken by Roman soldiers; hence, a sacred ceremony used to impress an obligation; a solemn oath-taking; an oath. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I'll take the sacrament on't. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The pledge or token of an oath or solemn covenant; a sacred thing; a mystery. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

God sometimes sent a light of fire, and pillar of a cloud . . . and the sacrament of a rainbow, to guide his people through their portion of sorrows. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Theol.) One of the solemn religious ordinances enjoined by Christ, the head of the Christian church, to be observed by his followers; hence, specifically, the eucharist; the Lord's Supper. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Sacrament, Eucharist. -- Protestants apply the term sacrament to baptism and the Lord's Supper, especially the latter. The R. Cath. and Greek churches have five other sacraments, viz., confirmation, penance, holy orders, matrimony, and extreme unction. As sacrament denotes an oath or vow, the word has been applied by way of emphasis to the Lord's Supper, where the most sacred vows are renewed by the Christian in commemorating the death of his Redeemer. Eucharist denotes the giving of thanks; and this term also has been applied to the same ordinance, as expressing the grateful remembrance of Christ's sufferings and death. “Some receive the sacrament as a means to procure great graces and blessings; others as an eucharist and an office of thanksgiving for what they have received.” Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To bind by an oath. [ Obs. ] Laud. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. That which relates to a sacrament. Bp. Morton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. sacramentalis: cf. F. sacramental, sacramentel. ] 1. Of or pertaining to a sacrament or the sacraments; of the nature of a sacrament; sacredly or solemnly binding; as, sacramental rites or elements. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Bound by a sacrament. [ 1913 Webster ]

The sacramental host of God's elect. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The doctrine and use of sacraments; attachment of excessive importance to sacraments. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who holds the doctrine of the real objective presence of Christ's body and blood in the holy eucharist. Shipley. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a sacramental manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ LL. sacramentarius: cf. F. sacramentaire. ] 1. (Eccl.) A name given in the sixteenth century to those German reformers who rejected both the Roman and the Lutheran doctrine of the holy eucharist. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who holds extreme opinions regarding the efficacy of sacraments. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Of or pertaining a sacrament, or to the sacramentals; sacramental. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of or pertaining to the Sacramentarians. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Of or pertaining to a sacrament or the sacraments; sacramental. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of or pertaining to the Sacramentarians. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. -ries [ LL. sacramentarium: cf. F. sacramentaire. ] 1. An ancient book of the Roman Catholic Church, written by Pope Gelasius, and revised, corrected, and abridged by St. Gregory, in which were contained the rites for Mass, the sacraments, the dedication of churches, and other ceremonies. There are several ancient books of the same kind in France and Germany. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Same as Sacramentarian, n., 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

Papists, Anabaptists, and Sacramentaries. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To administer the sacraments. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Both to preach and sacramentize. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. -ria [ L., fr. sacer sacred. ] 1. A sort of family chapel in the houses of the Romans, devoted to a special divinity. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The adytum of a temple. Gwilt. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. In a Christian church, the sanctuary. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. sacratus, p. p. of sacrare. See Sacred. ] To consecrate. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Consecration. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Saker. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ F. sacrer. See Sacred. ] To consecrate; to make sacred. [ Obs. ] Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Originally p. p. of OE. sacren to consecrate, F. sacrer, fr. L. sacrare, fr. sacer sacred, holy, cursed. Cf. Consecrate, Execrate, Saint, Sexton. ] 1. Set apart by solemn religious ceremony; especially, in a good sense, made holy; set apart to religious use; consecrated; not profane or common; as, a sacred place; a sacred day; sacred service. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Relating to religion, or to the services of religion; not secular; religious; as, sacred history. [ 1913 Webster ]

Smit with the love of sacred song. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Designated or exalted by a divine sanction; possessing the highest title to obedience, honor, reverence, or veneration; entitled to extreme reverence; venerable. [ 1913 Webster ]

Such neighbor nearness to our sacred [ royal ] blood
Should nothing privilege him. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Poet and saint to thee alone were given,
The two most sacred names of earth and heaven. Cowley. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Hence, not to be profaned or violated; inviolable. [ 1913 Webster ]

Secrets of marriage still are sacred held. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Consecrated; dedicated; devoted; -- with to. [ 1913 Webster ]

A temple, sacred to the queen of love. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Solemnly devoted, in a bad sense, as to evil, vengeance, curse, or the like; accursed; baleful. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

But, to destruction sacred and devote. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Society of the Sacred Heart (R.C. Ch.), a religious order of women, founded in France in 1800, and approved in 1826. It was introduced into America in 1817. The members of the order devote themselves to the higher branches of female education. --
Sacred baboon. (Zool.) See Hamadryas. --
Sacred bean (Bot.), a seed of the Oriental lotus (Nelumbo speciosa or Nelumbium speciosum), a plant resembling a water lily; also, the plant itself. See Lotus. --
Sacred beetle (Zool.) See Scarab. --
Sacred canon. See Canon, n., 3. --
Sacred fish (Zool.), any one of numerous species of fresh-water African fishes of the family Mormyridae. Several large species inhabit the Nile and were considered sacred by the ancient Egyptians; especially Mormyrus oxyrhynchus. --
Sacred ibis. See Ibis. --
Sacred monkey. (Zool.) (a) Any Asiatic monkey of the genus Semnopithecus, regarded as sacred by the Hindoos; especially, the entellus. See Entellus. (b) The sacred baboon. See Hamadryas. (c) The bhunder, or rhesus monkey. --
Sacred place (Civil Law), the place where a deceased person is buried. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Holy; divine; hallowed; consecrated; dedicated; devoted; religious; venerable; reverend. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Sa"cred*ly adv. -- Sa"cred*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being offered in sacrifice. [ R. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ L. sacrificus, sacrificalis. See Sacrifice. ] Employed in sacrifice. [ R. ] Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. sacrificans, p. pr. See Sacrifice. ] One who offers a sacrifice. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ] A sacrificer; one who offers a sacrifice. [ R. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. sacrificatoire. ] Offering sacrifice. [ R. ] Sherwood. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. sacrifise, sacrifice, F. sacrifice, fr. L. sacrificium; sacer sacred + facere to make. See Sacred, and Fact. ] 1. The offering of anything to God, or to a god; consecratory rite. [ 1913 Webster ]

Great pomp, and sacrifice, and praises loud,
To Dagon. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Anything consecrated and offered to God, or to a divinity; an immolated victim, or an offering of any kind, laid upon an altar, or otherwise presented in the way of religious thanksgiving, atonement, or conciliation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Moloch, horrid king, besmeared with blood
Of human sacrifice. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

My life, if thou preserv'st my life,
Thy sacrifice shall be. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Destruction or surrender of anything for the sake of something else; devotion of some desirable object in behalf of a higher object, or to a claim deemed more pressing; hence, also, the thing so devoted or given up; as, the sacrifice of interest to pleasure, or of pleasure to interest. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A sale at a price less than the cost or the actual value. [ Tradesmen's Cant ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Burnt sacrifice. See Burnt offering, under Burnt. --
Sacrifice hit (Baseball), in batting, a hit of such a kind that the batter loses his chance of tallying, but enables one or more who are on bases to get home or gain a base. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Sacrificed p. pr. & vb. n. Sacrificing ] [ From Sacrifice, n.: cf. F. sacrifier, L. sacrificare; sacer sacred, holy + -ficare (only in comp.) to make. See -fy. ] 1. To make an offering of; to consecrate or present to a divinity by way of expiation or propitiation, or as a token acknowledgment or thanksgiving; to immolate on the altar of God, in order to atone for sin, to procure favor, or to express thankfulness; as, to sacrifice an ox or a sheep. [ 1913 Webster ]

Oft sacrificing bullock, lamb, or kid. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, to destroy, surrender, or suffer to be lost, for the sake of obtaining something; to give up in favor of a higher or more imperative object or duty; to devote, with loss or suffering. [ 1913 Webster ]

Condemned to sacrifice his childish years
To babbling ignorance, and to empty fears. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Baronet had sacrificed a large sum . . . for the sake of . . . making this boy his heir. G. Eliot. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To destroy; to kill. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To sell at a price less than the cost or the actual value. [ Tradesmen's Cant ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To make offerings to God, or to a deity, of things consumed on the altar; to offer sacrifice. [ 1913 Webster ]

O teacher, some great mischief hath befallen
To that meek man, who well had sacrificed. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who sacrifices. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to sacrifice or sacrifices; consisting in sacrifice; performing sacrifice. “Sacrificial rites.” Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. sacrilège, L. sacrilegium, from sacrilegus that steals, properly, gathers or picks up, sacred things; sacer sacred + legere to gather, pick up. See Sacred, and Legend. ] The sin or crime of violating or profaning sacred things; the alienating to laymen, or to common purposes, what has been appropriated or consecrated to religious persons or uses. [ 1913 Webster ]

And the hid treasures in her sacred tomb
With sacrilege to dig. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

Families raised upon the ruins of churches, and enriched with the spoils of sacrilege. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ From sacrilege: cf. L. sacrilegus. ] Violating sacred things; polluted with sacrilege; involving sacrilege; profane; impious. [ 1913 Webster ]

Above the reach of sacrilegious hands. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Sac`ri*le"gious*ly, adv. -- Sac`ri*le"gious*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One guilty of sacrilege. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. & n. from Sacre. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sacring bell. See Sanctus bell, under Sanctus. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ LL. sacrista. See Sacristan. ] A sacristan; also, a person retained in a cathedral to copy out music for the choir, and take care of the books. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. sacristain, LL. sacrista, fr. L. sacer. See Sacred, and cf. Sexton. ] An officer of the church who has the care of the utensils or movables, and of the church in general; a sexton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Sacristies [ F. sacristie, LL. sacristia, fr. L. sacer. See Sacred. ] An apartment in a church where the sacred utensils, vestments, etc., are kept; a vestry. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Anat.) A combining form denoting connection with, or relation to, the sacrum, as in sacro-coccygeal, sacro-iliac, sacrosciatic. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. sucrosanctus. ] Sacred; inviolable. [ R. ] Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to both the sacrum and the hip; as, the sacrosciatic foramina formed by the sacrosciatic ligaments which connect the sacrum and the hip bone. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the sacrum and that part of the vertebral column immediately anterior to it; as, the sacrovertebral angle. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. sacra [ NL., fr. L. sacer sacred, os sacrum the lowest bone of the spine. ] (Anat.) That part of the vertebral column which is directly connected with, or forms a part of, the pelvis. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ It may consist of a single vertebra or of several more or less consolidated. In man it forms the dorsal, or posterior, wall of the pelvis, and consists of five united vertebrae, which diminish in size very rapidly to the posterior extremity, which bears the coccyx. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of sacrificing one's self, or one's interest, for others; self-devotion. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Yielding up one's own interest, feelings, etc; sacrificing one's self. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Corrupted from NL. staphis agria, Gr. stafi`s dried grape + 'a`grios wild. ] (Bot.) A kind of larkspur (Delphinium Staphysagria), and its seeds, which are violently purgative and emetic. They are used as a parasiticide, and in the East for poisoning fish. [ 1913 Webster ]