| 释义 |
ho·ly
I. \ˈhōlē, -li\ adjective
(-er/-est)
Etymology: Middle English holy, hooly, haly, from Old English hālig; akin to Old High German heilag holy, Old Norse heilagr, Gothic hailags, Old English hāl whole — more at whole
1.
a. : set apart and dedicated to the service or worship of God or a god : hallowed, sacred
< holy vessels >
< the holy priesthood >
b. : dedicated to or laying claim to being dedicated to a sacred or selfless purpose
< gave money to various holy causes >
2.
a.
(1) : perfect in righteousness and divine love : infinitely good : worthy of complete devotion and trust : commanding one's fullest powers of adoration and reverence
< the holy Lord God Almighty >
(2) : of or befitting something that is perfect or worthy in his way
< a smile of holy sweetness — George Meredith >
b. : spiritually whole, sound, or perfect : of unimpaired innocence or proved virtue : pure in heart : godly, pious — often used in mild oaths
< my holy aunt >
3.
a. : venerated because of association with someone or something holy
< holy relics >
< the holy cross >
b. of a saint or saintly person : worthy of veneration
< holy martyrs >
c. : to be treated with veneration or the utmost respect
< to him every action of the campaign was holy >
d. : being awesome, frightening, or beyond belief
< the child was a holy terror >
< so frightened he had the holy horrors >
4. : not capable of being approached with impunity : filled with mysterious, superhuman, and potentially fatal power : dangerously powerful if violated
< some words are considered so holy they must never be spoken aloud — Stuart Chase >
II. noun
(-es)
Etymology: Middle English holi, adjective, from Old English
1. [translation of Late Latin sanctus] : a holy place : sanctuary
2. obsolete : saint
3. capitalized : god II 1
< into the presence of the Holy > |