holiness

Holiness, n.

Etymology: [AS. halignes.]

1. The state or quality of being holy; perfect moral integrity or purity; freedom from sin; sanctity; innocence. Who is like thee, glorious in holiness! Ex. xv. 11.

2. The state of being hallowed, or consecrated to God or to his worship; sacredness. Israel was holiness unto the Lord. Jer.ii.3. His holiness, a title of the pope; -- formerly given also to Greek bishops and Greek emperors.

Syn. -- Piety; devotion; godliness; sanctity; sacredness; righteousness.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for holiness; he lists it under religion.

Where he writes about it:

Holiness is the highest, sinless perfection of any spirit, whether divine or human, tho often used for purity or for consecration. — from religion

Synonyms

religion devotion faith godliness morality pietism piety righteousness theology worship

Antonyms

atheism blasphemy godlessness impiety irreligion profanity sacrilege sin unbelief ungodliness wickedness

etymology Webster’s online