sacr-, sacro-

1. Relating to or characteristic of a priest or the priesthood: At his ordination, the young man wore sacerdotal clothing which was suitable for a priest.
2. Etymology: from Old French sacerdotal, which came from Latin sacerdotalis, "of" or "pertaining to a priest"; from Latin sacerdos, sacerdotis, "priest"; literally, "offerer of sacrifices"; from sacer, "holy" + the stem of dare, "to give".

A belief that only a pastor is able to mediate between God and human beings: This requirement of sacerdotalism is denied by those who believe that all Christian believers can access God directly without the need of an intermediary; such as, a priest or a minister.

Anyone who has a religious belief that priests are essential mediators between God and humankind: Melanie's elderly aunt was a sacerdotalist and often asked her priest to visit her for prayer and comfort.

1. To have a zeal for priestly things: Sometimes Simon was wondering if he had a true calling to be a priest or if he was sacerdotalizing about the trappings of the church and priesthood.
2. To advocate the divine authority of the priesthood: Church leaders have sacerdotalized about the dedications of those who are God's messengers.

Referring to or relating to priests or the priesthood; priestly: The cardinal's religious lectures had a sacerdotally dedicated tone to them, as if he were hoping to inspire his listeners to become God's loyal messengers.

1. Relating to or used in religious rites or observances: The spiritual leader held a sacral object in her hand as she lead the opening prayer.
2. A reference to or near the large bone mass at the base of the spine: The doctor detected a fracture in the sacral region of the patient's lower back.

Mary's doctor explained that her sacral nerves were damaged when she slipped on the icy step by her door and fell down on her back.

1. Pain in the triangular spinal bone below the lumbar vertebrae which is usually caused by pressure on a spinal nerve in the area of the back: Sacralgia is often the result of a disk prolapse or a slipped disk.
2. Etymology: from the Latin sacer, "sacred" + the Greek element algos, "pain".

The word "sacred" is used because the sacrum was considered a sacred (highly valued; holy) bone since it was believed that the sacrum could not be destroyed and that it was the part of the body that would allow someone to rise from the dead.

1. Something considered to have a special holy significance: Arthur was studying the sacraments of the ancient people of Roman times.
2. In Christianity, a rite that is considered to have been established by Jesus Christ to bring grace to those participating in or receiving it: In some Protestant Churches, the sacraments are baptism and the holy Communion.

In the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, the sacraments usually include penance, confirmation, holy orders, matrimony, and the anointing of the sick.

Also, in some Christian churches, marriage and baptism are sacraments that are regarded as being very important in the lives of their followers.

3. Etymology: from Latin sacramentum, "a consecrating"; usually, an "oath"; from sacare, "to consecrate"; from sacer, "holy, sacred".

1. An action or object; such as, the rosary, of ecclesiastical origin that serves to express or to increase devotion: Marjorie carried her beloved hand-carved sacramentals in a special container to protect them.
2. In the Roman Catholic Church, an action, as the sign of the cross, a ceremony resembling a religious object, regarded as being instituted by the church rather than by Christ and serving as a means of receiving sanctifying grace: In her university class of theology, Olive presented several of the sacramentals which were used in her church.

The doctrine that the observance of certain rituals are necessary for salvation and that such participation can confer grace: Zara was confident that if she observed all the sacramentalisms of her church, she would be forgiven for her selfish behavior and for doubting some of her religious beliefs.

Someone who believes in or uses symbolic rites, acts, or objects; specifically, with the belief that such practices are inherently efficacious and necessary for one's salvation: Despite her confidence in her pastor, Dora felt that sometimes his emphasis on sacramentalists was too excessive for her comfort.

A reference to religious rites; such as, the use of holy water, oil, or salt, that are employed as additional parts to religious services: The priest administered other sacramentally traditional rituals to emphasize the holiness of the occasion.

In Christianity, a belief that the consecrated bread and wine of the Communion merely symbolize the body and blood of Jesus Christ: During the sacramentarian in a church, the bread and wine are passed to each member of the congregation and they are reminded that they are acknowledging Jesus Christ's last supper before His crucifixion.

Any of several publications containing the rituals for mass and various other rites: As part of his theological training, Frank read many of the books about sacramentaries in the library of the seminary in order to better understand the spiritual celebrations that take place in his church.

A medical surgery that involves the triangular bone located in the lower spine: Brian's surgeon was explaining that a sacrectomy would be performed to decrease the pain and stiffness that was taking place in the backs of his thighs or from his hips down to his knees.