entweihen
desecrate
Einen heiligen oder sehr wichtigen Ort oder Gegenstand schlecht behandeln und ihm so seine Würde nehmen.
The German word "entweihen" is a verb meaning "to desecrate" or "to defile".
- It is composed of the prefix "ent-" and the verb "weihen", where "weihen" means "to consecrate", "to sanctify", or "to dedicate (to something holy)".
- So, "entweihen" literally means "to undo the consecration" or "to remove the sacred status".
Similar words:
- "entweihen" vs. "beschmutzen" (to soil, to dirty)
- "entweihen" vs. "entehren" (to dishonor)
- "entweihen" vs. "schänden" (to violate, desecrate)
Difference:
- "Entweihen" specifically refers to the violation or desecration of something sacred or holy.
- "Beschmutzen" is more general and means simply to dirty or stain.
- "Entehren" stresses dishonoring, often in moral or social terms rather than sacredness.
- "Schänden" carries a stronger, often physical, connotation of violation or abuse, frequently of people or places.
In short, "entweihen" focuses on the removal or destruction of a sacred status.
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Examples
Niemand sollte dieses alte Gebäude entweihen.verb
No one should desecrate this old building.
Die Menschen waren empört, weil Vandalen den Friedhof entweiht hatten.verb
The people were outraged because vandals had desecrated the cemetery.
Warum wollte jemand das heilige Symbol entweihen?verb
Why would someone want to desecrate the holy symbol?
Er versprach feierlich, die Grabstätte niemals zu entweihen.verb
He solemnly promised never to desecrate the grave site.
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