在林肯的《葛底斯堡演说》中,consecrate 一词被用来表达将战场奉献给阵亡将士的庄严意义:"We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live... But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground."