\Des"e*crate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Desecrated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Desecrating}.] [L. desecratus, p. p. of
desecrare (also desacrare) to consecrate, dedicate; but taken
in the sense if to divest of a sacred character; de- +
sacrare to consecrate, fr. sacer sacred. See {Sacred}.]
To divest of a sacred character or office; to divert from a
sacred purpose; to violate the sanctity of; to profane; to
put to an unworthy use; -- the opposite of consecrate.
      The [Russian] clergy can not suffer corporal punishment
      without being previously desecrated.     --W. Tooke.
      The founders of monasteries imprecated evil on those
      who should desecrate their donations.    --Salmon.