desecrate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb violate the sacred character of a place or language
    outrage; violate; profane.
    • desecrate a cemetery
    • violate the sanctity of the church
    • profane the name of God
  2. verb remove the consecration from a person or an object
    deconsecrate; unhallow.

WordNet

Des"e*crate transitive verb
Etymology
L. desecratus, p. p. of desecrare (also desacrare) to consecrate, dedicate; but taken in the sense if to divest of a sacred character; de- + sacrare to consecrate, fr. sacer sacred. See Sacred.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Desecrated ; present participle & verbal noun Desecrating
Definitions
  1. To divest of a sacred character or office; to divert from a sacred purpose; to violate the sanctity of; to profane; to put to an unworthy use; -- the opposite of consecrate.
    The [Russian] clergy can not suffer corporal punishment without being previously desecrated. W. Tooke.
    The founders of monasteries imprecated evil on those who should desecrate their donations. Salmon.

Webster 1913