"sacrifice" Definition

Definitions for the word "sacrifice" from multiple English dictionaries.

1. n.
The offering of anything to God, or to a god; consecratory rite.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
2. n.
Anything consecrated and offered to God, or to a divinity; an immolated victim, or an offering of any kind, laid upon an altar, or otherwise presented in the way of religious thanksgiving, atonement, or conciliation.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
3. n.
Destruction or surrender of anything for the sake of something else; devotion of some desirable object in behalf of a higher object, or to a claim deemed more pressing; hence, also, the thing so devoted or given up; as, the sacrifice of interest to pleasure, or of pleasure to interest.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
4. n.
A sale at a price less than the cost or the actual value.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
5. n.
To make an offering of; to consecrate or present to a divinity by way of expiation or propitiation, or as a token acknowledgment or thanksgiving; to immolate on the altar of God, in order to atone for sin, to procure favor, or to express thankfulness; as, to sacrifice an ox or a sheep.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
6. n.
Hence, to destroy, surrender, or suffer to be lost, for the sake of obtaining something; to give up in favor of a higher or more imperative object or duty; to devote, with loss or suffering.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
7. n.
To destroy; to kill.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
8. n.
To sell at a price less than the cost or the actual value.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
9. v. i.
To make offerings to God, or to a deity, of things consumed on the altar; to offer sacrifice.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
10. n.
1 a voluntary relinquishing of something valued. B thing so relinquished. C the loss entailed. 2 a slaughter of an animal or person or surrender of a possession, as an offering to a deity. B animal, person, or thing so offered. v. (-cing) 1 give up (a thing) as a sacrifice. 2 (foll. By to) devote or give over to. 3 (also absol.) Offer or kill as a sacrifice. sacrificial adj. [latin: related to *sacred]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884

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Additional Info
This page provides a list of definitions and meanings for "sacrifice" from various historical English dictionaries. By displaying multiple definitions, you can compare and contrast different meanings and nuances of a word, phrase, or slang. You can also see the changes in meaning of "sacrifice" over time by viewing the definitions from different dictionaries published at different times in history. The page also includes other information to help users expand their vocabulary and understand the context of the word.

Important Notes
The definitions for words, phrases and slang (such as "sacrifice") in this dictionary are sourced from multiple sources - including sources historical in nature. The sources may contain outdated, inaccurate or even offensive information when viewed from a modern context. It is important to consider the date the dictionary was published and view such content from a historical perspective and consider that the meanings, interpretations and usage of words may have evolved over time. Users should cross-reference this information with contemporary sources for a more complete understanding.

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