beato

blessed (person)

noun beh-AH-toh Rare

Origin: From Latin beatus (blessed, happy).

Also means

overly pious person

Usage Note

Beato in official Catholic usage refers to someone beatified by the Pope — one step below canonized sainthood. Colloquially it is used, often with mild irony, for someone who is excessively devout or sanctimonious. The feminine is beata. The abstract noun is beatitud ('beatitude, blessedness').

Examples

"El beato será canonizado el próximo año."

Natural Translation

The blessed person will be canonized next year.

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