sacrament
Pronunciation: /ˈsakrəm(ə)nt/
noun
- (in the Christian Church) a ceremony regarded as imparting spiritual grace, in particular:
- (in the Roman Catholic and many Orthodox Churches) the seven rites of baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist, penance, anointing of the sick, ordination, and matrimony: a priest visits regularly to celebrate Mass and administer the sacraments some receive the sacrament of reconciliation
- (among Protestants) baptism and the Eucharist.
- (also the Blessed Sacrament or the Holy Sacrament) (in Catholic use) the consecrated elements of the Eucharist, especially the bread or Host: he heard Mass and received the sacrament
- a thing of mysterious and sacred significance; a religious symbol: they used peyote as a sacrament
Origin:
Middle English: from Old French sacrement, from Latin sacramentum 'solemn oath' (from sacrare 'to hallow', from sacer 'sacred'), used in Christian Latin as a translation of Greek mustērion 'mystery'