sacrifice etymology

Etymology

The word "sacrifice" originates from the Latin word "sacrificium," which is derived from the verb "sacrare," meaning "to make sacred or to consecrate." The root of the verb "sacrare" is the Indo-European word "sak-," which means "to be holy."

Meaning

The original meaning of "sacrifice" is "the act of offering something to a deity in order to gain favor or appease wrath." In this context, the offering is typically something valuable or important to the person making the sacrifice.

Over time, the meaning of "sacrifice" has expanded to include any act of giving up something of value for the sake of a greater good or a higher purpose. For example, someone may make a sacrifice by giving up their time, money, or comfort to help someone in need.

Origin

The practice of sacrifice has been a part of human societies for thousands of years. It is thought to have originated in the belief that deities could be influenced by human actions, and that offering them something of value could result in them granting favors or protecting the offerer from harm.

In ancient times, sacrifices were often made to appease angry gods or to ask for their help in times of war, famine, or other disasters. Animals, food, and other valuables were commonly offered as sacrifices.

Today, the practice of sacrifice is still observed in many religions and cultures around the world. However, the nature of the sacrifices offered has changed over time, with symbolic and metaphorical sacrifices becoming more common than the offering of physical objects.

sacrifice relate terms

  • sacred

    Etymology The word sacred originates from the Latin word sacer which means holy

  • saint

    Etymology The word saint comes from the Latin word sanctus which means holy or co

  • sanction

    Etymology The word sanction comes from the Latin word sancire which means to make s

  • sacrificant

    Etymology The word sacrificant is derived from the Latin word sacrificare meaning t

  • sacrifice

    Etymology The word sacrifice originates from the Latin word sacrificium which is der

  • give

    Etymology The word etymology comes from the Greek word etymos meaning true or re

  • forfeit

    Etymology Middle English forfeiten from Anglo Norman French forfeter from Old French

  • jejune

    Etymology Latin ieiunus empty fasting Proto Indo European h₁eyǵʰ empty h

  • expiation

    Etymology Latin expiatio expiationis expiation atonement Medieval Latin expiati

  • altar

    Etymology The word altar comes from the Latin word altare which is derived from the

  • juggernaut

    Etymology From Sanskrit jagannātha or jagad nātha Jagannātha means Lord of t

  • offer

    Etymology Old French offrir Latin offerre meaning to bring before to present Mean

  • immolate

    Etymology Latin immolare to sprinkle with sacrificial meal Proto Indo European me

  • hecatomb

    Etymology of Hecatomb The word hecatomb is derived from the Ancient Greek words ἑ

  • relinquish

    Etymology Old French relenquir Latin relinquere Proto Italic lik Proto Indo Europe