Can I say "A is consecrated to B"?

Question

This battlefield is consecrated to the memory of the soldiers who died here.Is this sentence above correct? I think "to the memory" part is not right . And if it is wrong, please tell me how to  revise it. Thanks!

Avangi · Accepted Answer

I wouldn't use it that way, but my dictionary lists meaning number four as "to dedicate to some service or goal." Still, I don't think "memory" would fit that definition. I think Abe said "we have come to dedicate a portion of that field to those who here gave their lives etc.", if memory serves me correctly. So "dedicated to the memory" would work.

When he later says, "we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground," he no longer says what we might consecrate it to. Ironically, I think he later says, "It is for us the living rather to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us." Now if he had used "consecrated" in this sentence, it would have fit the dictionary definition. (Maybe I'm wrong. I guess I'd better look it up.)

I think you could say "consecrated to preserving the memory of the soldiers etc." In that way it's dedicated to a goal, as in the dictionary definition.

I'm also remembering "The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract." This is definition number one: to make, declare, or set aside as sacred." That's quite a bit different from what you want - consecrating it to something.

- A.

Edit. MW Unabridged agrees with American Heritage. Definition 2 c to deliver up or give over to [charity] (dedicated to some service or goal) I don't think "memory" would fit. I can't find a dictionary definition that allows it.
There are 16,300 Google hits for "consecrated to the memory," but no corresponding dictionary definition. How strange.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

It's fine.
Here's an example:
The American Memorial Chapel at the very east end of the church in the apse is consecrated to the memory of over 28,000 US servicemen based in Britain who died in the Second World War.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

This battlefield is consecrated to the memory of the soldiers who died here.

A small comment.
Unless you qualify 'soldiers', I'd take this to refer to the soldiers on both sides.

Clive

Avangi · Answer

Clivesoldiers on both sides.

Wouldn't that be appropriate?

Clive · Answer

Hi,
That's up to the speaker/writer, not to me.

Clive

Can I say "A is consecrated to B"?

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