- Today's Word
Sacrosanct
SAK-roh-sankt
Definition
(adjective) Regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with.
Example
For many, the right to vote is sacrosanct.
Fun Fact
The concept of the “sacrosanct” has deep roots in ancient Roman religion and law, where certain temples, objects, and even people—like tribunes—were considered inviolable by decree. Harming them wasn’t just illegal; it was a religious offense. Today, the idea of sacrosanct still shows up in modern life: national constitutions, personal rituals (like morning coffee), and even time off from work are often treated as “off-limits” zones. It’s a word that’s moved from the sacred to the symbolic, and now shows up in debates over everything from privacy to free speech.
(adjective) Severe or strict in manner or appearance; having no comforts or luxuries; pleasingly simple and unadorned.
The monastery’s austere design — bare stone walls, minimal furniture, and no decoration — was intentional, meant to keep the monks focused on contemplation rather than comfort.
Austere comes from the Greek austēros, meaning “harsh” or “rough to the taste,” originally used to describe the bitter, drying quality of unripe fruit. The word passed into Latin as austerus and then into Old French before arriving in English in the 14th century. Its early use referred to physical sensations before expanding to describe strict, unadorned behavior and environments.