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#154957 02/03/06 07:42 PM
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Logwood Offline OP
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Once more, I'm suffering from loganamnosis.

The word or idiom I forgot is used to describe things, particularly rules and functions that are "sacred ground", and people should never mention or consider to change/revoke them.

I hope you know what I mean.

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Terra sancta.

Father (Literalist) Steve

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A
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sacrosanct


Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin sacrosanctus, probably from sacro sanctus hallowed by a sacred rite
1 : most sacred or holy : INVIOLABLE
2 : treated as if holy : immune from criticism or violation <politically sacrosanct programs>

Certainly a word applicable to discussions on current events.

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Logwood Offline OP
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Um, "Terra sancta", according to my dictionary, is Israel (in German or Latin?).

Not sacrosanct. The word I'm looking for is very specific and can only be used in the context I described. The "sacred" was just an example nevertheless... maybe I couldn't explain it properly.

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Well I would use sacrosanct's second definition in exactly that situation. "Inviolate" is another possibility, as is "unassailable."

unassailable not to be violated, criticized, or tampered with <one of the unassailable beliefs of that political party>

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Quote:

Well I would use sacrosanct's second definition in exactly that situation.





So would I. I would prefere it over unassailable because to me, sacrosanct implies "held as inviolate, something which ought not be challenged", while unassailable suggests something that actually is not open to chllenge.

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Logwood Offline OP
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Well, thanks for the suggestions,

But the thing is, I can use these words in a sentence that does not pertain to the situation I describe. While the word I'm looking for is very specific.

#154964 02/03/06 09:18 PM
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Do you mean inviolable or incontestable?

The word for unmentionable is 'ineffable', like the Tetragrammaton: "the ineffable Hebrew name that gentiles write as Jehovah." And the term "ex cathedra" is used in relation to Papal infallibility.

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hallowed
consecrated

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Quote:

Well, thanks for the suggestions,

But the thing is, I can use these words in a sentence that does not pertain to the situation I describe. While the word I'm looking for is very specific.




I'd love to see examples of the usage of "sacrosanct" in situations other than one you're looking for. Do you have any handy?

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