v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Sanctified p. pr. & vb. n. Sanctifying ] [ F. sanctifier, L. sanctificare; sanctus holy + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Saint, and -fy. ] 1. To make sacred or holy; to set apart to a holy or religious use; to consecrate by appropriate rites; to hallow. [ 1913 Webster ]

God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it. Gen. ii. 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

Moses . . . sanctified Aaron and his garments. Lev. viii. 30. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To make free from sin; to cleanse from moral corruption and pollution; to purify. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sanctify them through thy truth. John xvii. 17. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To make efficient as the means of holiness; to render productive of holiness or piety. [ 1913 Webster ]

A means which his mercy hath sanctified so to me as to make me repent of that unjust act. Eikon Basilike. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To impart or impute sacredness, venerableness, inviolability, title to reverence and respect, or the like, to; to secure from violation; to give sanction to. [ 1913 Webster ]

The holy man, amazed at what he saw,
Made haste to sanctify the bliss by law. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Truth guards the poet, sanctifies the line. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a manner or degree tending to sanctify or make holy. [ 1913 Webster ]