Reading Theme:
Sacrifice: Definition, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：give up for gain (sacrifice)
sacrifice
/ˈsækrɪfaɪs/
n./v.
To give up something important or valuable in order to get or keep something else that is more important.
give up for gain
➕
/ˈɡɪv ʌp fɔːr ɡeɪn/
n./v.
To willingly give up something valued for the sake of something else considered more important or worthy.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'sacrum' (holy) + 'facere' (to make), literally 'to make holy'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'sacred' + 'price' – the holy price you pay for something more important.
📖 Example
She made a big sacrifice by giving up her dream job to take care of her young children.
She made a significant personal sacrifice by giving up her dream job to take care of her young children.
🔗 Collocations
make a sacrifice – to willingly give something up
personal sacrifice – giving up something for oneself
sacrifice something for – to give up something in order to achieve or support something else
🔄 Synonyms
forgo (v.) – To decide not to have or do something desirable.
relinquish (v.) – To voluntarily give up or let go of something.
concession (n.) – Something surrendered or yielded.
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
sacrificial (adj.) – Relating to or involving a sacrifice.
📖 Cultural Story
The Latin root denotes making something sacred, originally for ritual offerings to gods. The concept's evolution from religious rites to personal forfeiture for a greater good reflects its profound cultural weight in moral and ethical discussions.
Meaning 2：offer to deity (sacrifice)
sacrifice
/ˈsækrɪfaɪs/
n./v.
Something offered to a god, especially in a religious ceremony, as a way to show respect or ask for help.
offer to deity
➕
/ˈɒfər tuː ˈdiːɪti/
n./v.
A ritual act of offering something valuable, such as an animal or crop, to a god or deity as an act of devotion, propitiation, or thanksgiving.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
In some ancient civilizations, people made a grain sacrifice to the river god, hoping for a good harvest.
In some ancient civilizations, people made an offering of grain to the river god, hoping for a good harvest.
🔗 Collocations
ritual sacrifice – an offering made as part of a formal religious ceremony
animal sacrifice – the ritual killing of an animal as an offering
sacrificial offering – an item presented to a deity
🔄 Synonyms
offering (n.) – Something presented to a deity as an act of worship.
oblation (n.) – A thing presented or offered to God or a god.
immolation (n.) – Killing or offering as a sacrifice, especially by fire.
🚫 Antonyms
desecration (n.) – The act of treating a sacred place with violent disrespect.
profanation (n.) – The act of treating something sacred with disrespect.
sacrilege (n.) – Violation or misuse of what is regarded as sacred.
🌱 Derivatives
sacrificial (adj.) – Relating to or involving a sacrifice.
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