hallow
UK: ˈhæləʊ | US: ˈhæloʊ
vt. to make holy or sacred; to honor as holy
n. (archaic) a saint or holy person
hallow = hal<whole, holy> + low<verb suffix>
- hal<whole, holy>: From Old English hālig (holy), derived from Proto-Germanic hailagaz, related to hāl (whole, healthy).
- low<verb suffix>: A verbalizing suffix in Old English, indicating action (e.g., fyllan "to fill" from full).
Etymology Origin:
The word "hallow" traces back to Old English hālgian, meaning "to consecrate." Its root hal reflects the concept of wholeness and holiness, shared with "holy" and "health." The verb suffix -low (as in "bless" → blētsian) marks it as an action. Over time, "hallow" evolved to mean "to make sacred," famously preserved in "Halloween" (All Hallows' Eve, the evening before All Saints' Day).
The priest will hallow the new chapel in a special ceremony.
Ancient tribes used to hallow certain trees as sacred.
"Hallow" is rarely used in modern speech but appears in religious texts.
The ground was hallowed by the memories of those who fought there.
In medieval times, people would hallow relics to attract pilgrims.