The correct spelling of the word "hallow" is often mistaken by people. It is spelled /ˈhæl.əʊ/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced with the short 'a' sound, followed by a clipped 'l'. The second syllable is pronounced with a long 'o' sound and an emphasized stress on the 'o'. It is important to remember that the spelling of this word is not 'hollow' which is often mistakenly used. "Hallow" is commonly used as a verb to mean honour as sacred or holy.
The term "hallow" serves as both a noun and a verb, with its origins deeply rooted in Old English and Middle English. As a noun, "hallow" refers to a saint or holy person who is venerated and held in reverence. In this sense, it is synonymous with the words "saint" or "sacred." The term often carries religious connotations, which elevated individuals into revered statuses.
As a verb, "hallow" denotes the act of making something sacred or consecrating it as holy. It involves sanctifying or setting apart a place, an object, or a person as sacred. This process often entails invoking religious rituals, blessings, or spiritual practices. By hallowing, individuals acknowledge and connect with the divine, elevating the significance or spiritual essence of the subject being hallowed.
Additionally, "hallow" can be associated with the Christian observance of All Hallows' Eve, known more commonly as Halloween, which is celebrated on October 31st. This festive holiday precedes All Saints' Day on November 1st and All Souls' Day on November 2nd. It includes various traditions centered around remembering and honoring the departed, often involving costumes, decorations, and communal gatherings.
In summary, "hallow" refers to both a holy person or saint and the act of consecrating or making something sacred. It embodies a sense of reverence, sanctification, and connection with the divine. Additionally, the term has connections to the Christian celebration of Halloween and the accompanying remembrance of the deceased.
To make holy; to consecrate; to honour as sacred.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "hallow" has its origins in Old English. It comes from the Old English word "hālgian" which means "to make holy" or "to sanctify". This word is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*hailagōną". The notion of holiness or sanctity is at the core of the word's meaning in various contexts, such as Halloween (All Hallows' Eve) which originally referred to the evening before All Saints' Day. Overall, the word "hallow" has maintained its core meaning of "to make holy" throughout its etymological development.