sacrer

consecrate, crown

verb sah-KREH Less Common

Origin: Latin sacrare (to make sacred), from sacer (sacred)

Also means

swear, curse (Quebec French)

Usage Note

Sacrer in standard French means to consecrate or crown a monarch — sacrer un roi (to crown a king). The noun sacre refers to a coronation or consecration ceremony. In Quebec French, sacrer is the everyday verb for swearing or cursing, a usage not found in European French. Sacré as an adjective means 'sacred' or, colloquially, 'blessed/damned' (sacré menteur!).

Examples

"L'archevêque a sacré le nouveau roi."

Natural Translation

The archbishop crowned the new king.

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