sacrifice
UK[ˈsækrɪfaɪs]US[ˈsækrɪfaɪs]
n
The act of offering something to a god, especially an animal that is killed and then burned
n
The act of giving up something important or valuable for a particular purpose
v
To kill an animal and offer it to a god in a religious ceremony
v
To give up something important or valuable for a particular purpose or person
Morpheme Breakdown
sacri
fice
sacri
holy
fice
make
Etymology
The word 'sacrifice' has a direct and literal origin in Latin. It is formed from the combination of sacer, meaning "holy" or "sacred", and the root facere, meaning "to make" or "to do". Thus, the original Latin term sacrificium meant "to make something holy" or "to perform a sacred act", specifically referring to the ritual offering of a valuable item, often an animal, to a deity. Over time, the concept broadened from the strictly religious sphere to encompass any act of giving up something of great personal value for a higher cause, principle, or the benefit of others. This evolution retains the core logic of a sacred transaction, where a loss is endured to achieve a perceived greater good.
Analysis
Structure: sacri (holy) + fice (make)
- sacri: From Latin sacer (holy, sacred). Functions as a bound root in this compound, carrying the core meaning of "sacred" or "holy".
- fice: From Latin -ficium, a combining form from the verb facere (to make, to do). Functions as a bound root meaning "to make" or "to do".
Examples
In ancient times, people would sacrifice a goat to ensure a good harvest.
Parents often make great sacrifices for their children's education.
The soldier sacrificed his life to save his comrades.