holy
UK: ˈhəʊli | US: ˈhoʊli
adj. sacred or divine; associated with religious devotion
adj. morally pure or virtuous
n. (the Holy) a title for God or sacred objects in religious contexts
holy = hol<whole, healthy> + y<adjective suffix>
- hol (from Old English hālig, derived from hāl meaning "whole, healthy")
- y (a common Old English adjective-forming suffix)
Etymology Origin:
The word "holy" traces back to Old English hālig, which originally meant "whole, uninjured, or healthy." Over time, the concept of wholeness evolved metaphorically to signify spiritual purity or divine sanctity, influenced by Christian theology. The Germanic root hailaz (healthy, whole) also connects to modern words like "heal" and "health," reflecting the ancient link between physical well-being and spiritual integrity.
The temple is considered a holy place for pilgrims.
She led a holy life dedicated to helping the poor.
In many cultures, water symbolizes holy purification.
The priest blessed the holy relics during the ceremony.
His actions were driven by a holy sense of duty.