Unhallowed: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Old English 'halgian,' which means to make holy or sacred.
• The prefix 'un-' indicates a negation, so 'unhallowed' literally means 'not made holy.'
• It has roots in both the Germanic and Latin languages, showing its deep historical connections.

Literature

• Shakespeare used 'unhallowed' in his plays to suggest something sinister or cursed, illustrating moral themes.
• In Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein,' the term captures the ethical dilemmas about creation and responsibility.
• The word often appears in Gothic literature, depicting dark, supernatural elements.

Religion & Mythology

• In many religious traditions, what is 'unhallowed' can refer to actions or places that invite evil spirits or energies.
• Ancient cultures often performed rituals to 'hallow' spaces, making them sacred for worship, meaning 'unhallowed' places were avoided.
• It contrasts sacredness central to numerous belief systems, emphasizing the importance of purity.

Pop Culture

• The term frequently appears in horror films and stories to describe places haunted by bad spirits or dark histories.
• It is often used in video games to denote forbidden lands or corrupted creatures, amplifying fear and mystery.
• Many songs reference 'unhallowed' themes, portraying personal struggles against dark forces.

Psychology

• The idea of 'unhallowed' can evoke feelings of guilt or fear associated with taboo subjects in human behavior.
• Exploring 'unhallowed' concepts can lead to discussions on morality and the human psyche's struggles between good and evil.
• Understanding what is considered 'unhallowed' varies across cultures, highlighting subjective interpretations of morality.

This word's position of #30,227 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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• 30224 deaden
• 30225 exudative
• 30226 questing
• 30227 unhallowed
• 30228 transmute
• 30229 lisp
• 30230 bridled
• ...