sanctify

Where does the word "sanctify" come from? It comes from Latin sancire, passing through Latin before entering English (1300s).

Sanctify’s story begins in Latin: sancire meant “to make sacred, to ratify.” The root of 'saint', 'sanction' and 'sanctuary'. Within Latin, it grew into sanctificare by ancient. To make holy, from sanctus (holy) and facere (to make). It reached English by 1300s as sanctify. Settled as the English word for making something holy or consecrated. Today, sanctify means to make something holy, or to give something official approval.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient sancire "to make sacred, to ratify", the root of 'saint', 'sanction' and 'sanctuary'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient sanctificare "to make holy", to make holy, from sanctus (holy) and facere (to make).
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s sanctify "to make something holy or consecrated", settled as the English word for making something holy or consecrated.