- Today's Word
Hallowed
HAL-ohd (or HAL-uhd)
Definition
- (adjective) Regarded as holy, sacred, or revered.
- Greatly respected or honored.
Example
The soldiers gathered at the hallowed ground of the battlefield to honor those who had given their lives for freedom.
Fun Fact
“Hallowed” originates from the Old English word hālig, meaning “holy” or “sacred.” It shares roots with the word “holy” and gained prominence through religious contexts, especially in phrases like “hallowed be thy name” from the Lord’s Prayer. Over time, the word expanded beyond strictly religious usage to describe anything deeply revered, from historic sites to cherished traditions. Its connection to “All Hallows’ Eve” (Halloween) ties it to ancient customs honoring the dead, underscoring its enduring sense of sanctity.
(adjective) focused on practical results and real-world consequences rather than ideals, theories, or abstract principles.
Instead of arguing over perfect solutions, she took a pragmatic approach and fixed what could be done immediately.
Pragmatic traces back to the Greek word pragmatikos, meaning “relating to deeds or actions,” from pragma (“thing done” or “action”). It entered English in the late 16th century, originally referring to people skilled in managing practical affairs, before evolving into its modern meaning of valuing usefulness and outcomes over theory.