/
seɪnt, before a name usually
s(ə)nt/
n.
- a person acknowledged as holy or virtuous and regarded in Christian faith as being in heaven after death.
▸a person of exalted virtue who is canonized by the Church after death and who may be the object of veneration and prayers for intercession.
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(Saint)
a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; a Mormon.
- informal a very virtuous person.
v.
- formally recognize as a saint; canonize.
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[as adj. sainted]
worthy of being a saint; very virtuous:
his sainted sister.
Derivative
- saintdom n.
- sainthood n.
- saintship n.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. seint, from L. sanctus ‘holy’, past part. of sancire ‘consecrate’.