Heilig

Heilig is an adjective in German and Dutch meaning sacred or holy. In German it is used to describe something revered or consecrated, and appears in common phrases and compounds such as Heilige Schrift (Holy Scripture), die Heilige Jungfrau (the Holy Virgin), and Heiligabend (Christmas Eve). In Dutch the word likewise denotes sacredness and occurs in expressions such as de Heilige Schrift (the Holy Scripture) and de Heilige Geest (the Holy Spirit); it can also function as a noun referring to a saint in religious contexts (de Heilige). The term is widely used in religious, liturgical, and historical language in both languages.

Etymology: Heilig derives from Proto-Germanic and is cognate with the English holy; related forms appear in Dutch and other West Germanic languages. The German and Dutch terms share the same semantic core of sanctity and reverence.

Usage and nuance: In addition to religious contexts, heilig can be used metaphorically to denote moral seriousness or solemn obligation, for example in phrases like eine heilige Pflicht or een heilige taak. In modern usage, the word maintains a formal or traditional register, and the exact form (heilig, heilige, Heilige) reflects gender and number as in the noun phrases.

See also: Holy, Saint, Sanctity, Heiligkeit.