/'seɪkrɪd; `sekrɪd/
adj
1 connected with or dedicated to God or a god; connected with religion神圣的; 宗教的
*a sacred rite, place, image 宗教仪式、圣地、圣像
* a sacred building, eg a church, mosque, synagogue or temple 宗教建筑物（如教堂、回教寺、犹太教会堂或寺庙）
* sacred music, ie for use in religious services 圣乐（宗教仪式中用的音乐）
* sacred writings, eg the Koran, the Bible 宗教经典（如古兰经、圣经）.
2 ~ (to sb) regarded with great respect or reverence 受崇敬的; 不可冒犯的
*In India the cow is a sacred animal. 在印度, 牛是神圣的动物.
* Her marriage is sacred to her. 她认为自己的婚姻至高无上.
* (joc 谑) They've changed the time of the news is nothing sacred?把新闻时间改了--什么都不当一回事了?
3 (fml 文) (of an obligation, etc) regarded as very important; solemn （指义务等）认为重要的, 庄严的
*a sacred promise, task 郑重的诺言、重大的任务
* hold a promise sacred 信守诺言
* regard sth as a sacred duty 视某事为神圣的职责.
4 ~ to sb/sth (phrase seen on tombstones and monuments to the dead 用于墓碑及对死者的纪念碑上的词语) dedicated to sb/sth 献给某人[某事物]
*sacred to the memory of... 献给....
5 (idm 习语) a sacred `cow an idea, institution, etc that many think should not be criticized神圣不可侵犯的思想、机构、制度等
*Let's not make a sacred cow of the monarchy. 咱们别把君主政体奉若神明.

adj
[Date: 1300-1400; Origin: Past participle of sacre 'to make holy' (13-17 centuries), from Old French sacrer, from Latin sacrare, from sacer 'holy']
relating to a god or religion
　a sacred vow
　the miraculous powers of sacred relics
　Certain animals were considered sacred.
sacred to
　The land is sacred to these tribesmen.
very important or greatly respected
　Human life is sacred.
　Frontiers which have held for over forty years are no longer sacred.
sacred to
　Few things were sacred to Henry, but local history was one of them.
　He had no respect for everything I held sacred .
is nothing sacred?
spoken used to express shock when something you think is valuable or important is being changed or harmed
>sacrednessn[U]
　the sacredness of human life