Wiktionary:Word of the day/2025/January 2

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odour of sanctity n (British spelling)

(chiefly Christianity, historical, especially Middle Ages) A sweet smell, usually likened to that of flowers, said to be emitted by the bodies of saints during their life, or especially at or after death. (figurative) A person's reputation for, or state of, holiness. (chiefly humorous or ironic) A (supposed) general aura of goodness or virtue. The French nun Saint Thérèse of Lisieux was born on this day in 1873. At her death, she is said to have produced a strong scent of roses which was detectable for days afterward.

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