inpeccinate

qms commented on the word inpeccinate

In response to the following query from AnnePern;

Hi All,

A friend is looking for a word that means to make something a sin, akin to "medicalize."

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Anne

If I understand correctly you are not looking for an equivalent to “commit a sin” but for something to mean “to designate or to classify as a sin.”

anathematize is one possibility.

v. To cause to be, or to declare as, an anathema or evil.

But that may be more subjective and context-dependent than you want – closer to condemn (which is also a possibility).

incriminate might come close, but that applies more to the actor than the act.

impeccable comes to mind as describing a condition nearly opposite of what you are looking for.

adj. Incapable of sin or wrongdoing.

After some reflection on the roots of both incriminate and impeccable (which entries see) I suggest:

inpeccinate; v. transitive To designate, classify, or declare a specified action to be sinful.

January 25, 2017

bilby commented on the word inpeccinate

What the incomparable qms said

January 26, 2017

qms commented on the word inpeccinate

You are too kind, bilby. If you only knew the things I have been compared to! And the superlatives are worse.

January 26, 2017