Plural for an animal, person, or object offered in the act of sacrifice
“Stassen observes that pigs were used as a sacrifice to Roman gods.”
Plural for an act of slaughtering an animal or person or surrendering a possession as an offering to a deity
“The practice of santeria involves healing rituals, spirit possession, and animal sacrifice.”
Plural for something offered as an atonement or penance
“An offering was made to the gods as a sacrifice for the wrong-doings of the tribe.”
Plural for an act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else
“You may crave junk foods, but that is a sacrifice you must make in order to lose weight.”
Plural for a loss or cost incurred, especially for the benefit of something or someone
“Many of today's convenient shipping timelines come at a great sacrifice to our environment.”
To give away (something valuable) for the purpose of gaining something else
“In order to save her kingdom, she will have to sacrifice her freedom, her heart, and maybe even her life.”
To offer as a religious sacrifice
“It was considered good manners, and a vital part of showing respect, to sacrifice a goat before an ox.”
Related Words and Phrases
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