HOLY WATER Meaning and
Definition
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Holy water refers to water that has been sanctified or blessed by a religious figure or through a ceremonial process, typically within the context of Christian traditions. It is considered a sacred substance with important spiritual significance in various branches of Christianity, especially in Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.
Holy water is often stored in a vessel called a holy water font or stoup, usually placed in the entrance of a church or inside religious institutions. It is used in religious rituals and sacraments, such as baptism, the blessing of objects or places, and during certain prayers. The water is typically blessed by a priest or clergy member, invoking prayers and rituals specific to each religious tradition.
The purpose of using holy water varies across belief systems, but it is generally believed to possess spiritual cleansing properties. It is used to symbolize purification and repentance, as well as to ward off evil, negative influences, and protect against spiritual harm. Individuals may dip their fingers in the holy water and make the sign of the cross as they enter and exit a church as a form of reverence and gesture of faith.
The use of holy water extends beyond churches and religious sites, with some individuals keeping a small amount of blessed water in their homes for personal devotion, blessing their living spaces, or using it to bless themselves or their loved ones in times of need or prayer. It represents a physical embodiment of divine grace and a connection to the spiritual realm.
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In the Gr. and R. Cath. Ch., the water which has been consecrated by the priest.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for HOLY WATER
- holywater
- goly water
- boly water
- noly water
- joly water
- uoly water
- yoly water
- hily water
- hkly water
- hlly water
- hply water
- h0ly water
- h9ly water
- hoky water
- hopy water
- hooy water
- holg water
- holh water
- holu water
- hol7 water
Etymology of HOLY WATER
The word "holy" comes from the Old English word "hālig", which also means "sacred" or "consecrated". It originates from the Proto-Germanic word "hailaga", meaning "holy" or "sacred". The Old English word "hālig" replaced the earlier word "sēoð", which meant "sacrificial broth" or "potion".
The word "water" comes from the Old English word "wæter", which has Germanic roots. This eventually evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "watōr" and the broader Proto-Indo-European root "wodōr", which means "water".
When combined, the term "holy water" refers to water that is considered sacred, consecrated, or blessed in religious contexts, especially in Christianity.
Similar spelling words for HOLY WATER
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