Hallowing: meaning, definitions and examples

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hallowing

[ˈhaləʊɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

religious ceremony

The act of making something holy or sacred through a religious ritual or ceremony. It is often associated with prayers, blessings, or consecrations.

Synonyms

blessing, consecration, sanctification.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hallowing	To make something holy or greatly revere it. Often used in religious or ceremonial contexts. The monks performed a hallowing ritual for the new chapel The ground was hallowed and became a sacred place
consecration	To declare something sacred, particularly in a religious ceremony or formal dedication, typically for a specific religious purpose. The cathedral's consecration was a grand event The altar was consecrated with holy water
blessing	To confer or invoke divine favor upon something or someone, often in a religious or spiritual context, but it can also be used in secular situations. The priest gave his blessing to the couple The family received a special blessing during the ceremony
sanctification	To set apart for sacred use, to make holy or purify. Commonly used in theological contexts to describe the process of becoming holy. Sanctification is a key concept in many religious practices The sanctification of the relics was a much-revered ceremony

Examples of usage

The hallowing of the church was a solemn event attended by all the parishioners.
The priest performed the hallowing of the new altar with incense and prayers.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

making something holy

To honor or treat something as holy or sacred, imbuing it with spiritual significance or reverence.

Synonyms

glorify, sanctify, venerate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hallowing	Used in a religious or spiritual context to describe the act of making something holy or sacred. It often has a ceremonial or reverent connotation. The hallowing of the new church was a ceremony attended by the whole community. During the ritual, the priest focused on the hallowing of the sacred artifacts.
sanctify	Typically used in a religious context to indicate making something holy through a blessed process. It often involves rituals and divine recognition. The bishop will sanctify the new building during the next ceremony. The act of sanctifying the bread and wine is an essential part of the communion service.
glorify	Used generally to describe giving something or someone high praise and honor, often in an exaggerated manner. It can sometimes have a negative connotation when implying that praise is unwarranted. The documentary tends to glorify the achievements of the explorers while downplaying their failures. Many people glorify historical figures without considering the full scope of their actions.
venerate	Used to describe showing deep respect and reverence, often towards someone who is admired or held in high regard, such as saints, elders, or cultural icons. Many cultures venerate their ancestors by maintaining their graves and holding annual commemorations. He was deeply venerated in his community for his wisdom and kindness.

Examples of usage

She believes in hallowing the simple moments in life, finding beauty in the mundane.
The ancient tradition of hallowing objects for protection and good fortune continues in some cultures.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term 'hallow' comes from the Old English word 'halgian,' which means to make holy.
It is related to the word 'holy,' sharing the same root that denotes sanctity or sacredness.
Hallowing is often associated with celebrating or honoring saints and religious figures.

Cultural Significance

The most notable hallowing event is Halloween, which originates from All Hallows' Eve, the night before All Saints' Day.
In many cultures, hallowing involves rituals or ceremonies to honor ancestors or deities, emphasizing the connection between the living and the spiritual.
Certain landscapes, objects, or events may be 'hallowed' in various traditions, signifying places where divine presence is felt.

Literature

Hallowing plays a significant role in many religious texts, where rituals are performed to sanctify spaces or times.
Writers often explore the theme of hallowing through characters recognizing and preserving sacred traditions.
In poetry, hallowed imagery is used to evoke a sense of reverence or profound respect toward a subject or memory.

Psychology

Hallowing can be linked to the concept of nostalgia, where individuals hallow past experiences as they reflect on significant moments.
Acknowledging and hallowing certain experiences can contribute to personal identity and meaning-making in life.
Creating rituals around hallowing can foster community bonds, providing support and shared identity among participants.

Translations

Translations of the word "hallowing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 saudar

🇮🇳 अभिवादन

🇩🇪 heiligen

🇮🇩 menyucikan

🇺🇦 освячення

🇵🇱 święcenie

🇯🇵 神聖化

🇫🇷 sanctifier

🇪🇸 consagrar

🇹🇷 kutsama

🇰🇷 신성하게 하다

🇸🇦 تقديس

🇨🇿 posvěcení

🇸🇰 posvätenie

🇨🇳 神圣化

🇸🇮 posvečevanje

🇮🇸 helga

🇰🇿 қасиеттеу

🇬🇪 წმინდად კურთხევა

🇦🇿 müqəddəsləşdirmək

🇲🇽 consagrar

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,945, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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