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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Desecrate \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. [1913 Webster] The [Russian] clergy can not suffer corporal punishment without being previously desecrated. --W. Tooke. [1913 Webster] The founders of monasteries imprecated evil on those who should desecrate their donations. --Salmon. [1913 Webster]