heiligen
sanctify
Definition & meaning
heiligen is usually the infinitive of a German verb meaning to make something holy, to consecrate, or to sanctify. It can also mean to treat something as sacred or inviolable.
It can also be an inflected form of the adjective heilig (“holy” or “sacred”), as in a phrase referring to “holy” people or things.
Grammar & Word origin
As a verb, heiligen is regular: ich heilige (“I sanctify”), er/sie/es heiligt (“he/she/it sanctifies”), and geheiligt (“sanctified”). It is related to heilig , meaning “holy.” The word ultimately comes from an old Germanic root associated with wholeness and holiness.
As an adjective form, heiligen appears in certain grammatical contexts, such as before a plural noun: heiligen Orten , “holy places.”
Synonyms & antonyms
- weihen — “to consecrate” or “dedicate”; often used for formally dedicating a person, object, or place to a religious purpose.
- segnen — “to bless”; emphasizes asking for or giving a blessing, rather than making something holy.
- heiligsprechen — “to canonize”; specifically means officially declaring a person a saint.
- entweihen — “to desecrate”; the clearest opposite when something sacred is profaned.
- profanieren — “to profane” or “desecrate”; a more formal synonym for entweihen.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Manche Menschen heiligen diesen Ort.verb
Some people sanctify this place.
Die Kirche heiligte den neuen Altar.verb
The church sanctified the new altar.
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