sacrosanto

sacrosanct, inviolable

adjective sah-kroh-SAHN-toh Rare

Origin: From Latin sacrosanctus (made holy by sacred rites).

Also means

absolutely certain

Usage Note

Sacrosanto began as a religious term (consecrated, untouchable) but today is overwhelmingly used informally to stress that something is completely right or beyond dispute — hai sacrosanta ragione means 'you are absolutely right' (literally 'you have sacrosanct reason'). It adds emphatic force and often appears in colloquial speech and newspaper commentary.

Examples

"Hai sacrosanta ragione a protestare."

Natural Translation

You are absolutely right to protest.

Literal Translation

You-have sacrosanct reason to protest.

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