Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
adjective (holier; -est) see: whole Date: before 12th century exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness, divine , devoted entirely to the deity or the work of the deity ,
4. having a divine quality , venerated as or as if sacred ,
5. — used as an intensive — often used in combination as a mild oath holily adverb