hallowed

Hallowed is an adjective meaning made holy or consecrated; it also denotes something greatly revered or sacred. In religious contexts, a hallowed object, person, or place is set apart for sacred use. In secular language, the term often conveys reverence or special status, as in hallowed ground or hallowed halls.

Etymology: hallow comes from Old English halig meaning holy; the verb to hallow means to make holy, and the suffix -ed forms the adjective hallowed. The term is connected to All Hallows' Day and Hallows (saints), and has long been used to mark sanctity in Christian and other religious traditions.

Usage notes: in modern prose, hallowed can read as ceremonial or archaising, especially in reference to places or traditions with longstanding reverence. The classic biblical phrase "hallowed be thy name" from the Lord's Prayer is among its best-known uses, illustrating a solemn or liturgical style.

Common collocations include hallowed ground, hallowed halls, and hallowed traditions. Related terms include sacred, holy, sanctified, and consecrated; antonyms include profane and desecrated. The sense emphasizes reverence and sanctity rather than mere admiration.