Definition

1. Noun:

   • The act of offering something to a deity, often by killing it: This refers to the ritual killing of an animal or person as an offering to a god or gods.
   • The act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else: This denotes a loss or something you give up, often to achieve a more important goal.
   • A loss incurred by selling something below its value: This describes a financial loss taken when selling an asset.
   • (In baseball) A play that advances a base runner while the batter is put out: This is a specific sports term for a strategic out.
   • Personnel or resources surrendered to gain an objective: This refers to people or things given up or lost to achieve a goal.

2. Verb:

   • To offer as a sacrifice to a deity: To kill or give something as a religious offering.
   • To give up (something important or valued) for the sake of other considerations: To willingly endure a loss or forgo a benefit for a cause, principle, or another person.
   • To sell at a loss: To dispose of an asset for less than its perceived value.
   • To kill or destroy, especially in a strategic context: To allow something or someone to be killed or lost to achieve an objective.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • Ancient rituals often involved the sacrifice of an animal.
  • Parents make many sacrifices for their children's education.
  • He sold his collection at a sacrifice to pay the bills.
  • The batter's sacrifice moved the runner from first to second base.

• Verb:

  • They would sacrifice a goat to the gods.
  • She sacrificed her career to care for her family.
  • We had to sacrifice the old furniture when we moved.
  • The commander was forced to sacrifice a unit to protect the flank.

Advanced Usage

• "To make a sacrifice": To willingly give up something.

  • He made a great sacrifice to send his brother to college.

• "The ultimate sacrifice": A euphemism for giving one's life.

  • The soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

• "At a sacrifice": Incurring a financial loss.

  • The property was sold at a sacrifice.

Variants and Related Words

• Sacrificial (adj): Of, involving, or like a sacrifice.

  • His sacrificial act saved many lives.

• Self-sacrifice (n): The sacrifice of one's own interests or wishes for the sake of others.

  • Her self-sacrifice was admired by everyone.

Synonyms

• Noun: Offering, forfeiture, loss, renunciation.
• Verb: Forfeit, give up, relinquish, offer.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: "Sacrifice" is not commonly used with particles to form phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically conveyed directly or with prepositions like "for" or "to.")

Related Idioms

• "Sacrifice something on the altar of something": To give up something for an often questionable cause or principle.
  • He sacrificed his principles on the altar of political expediency.

Noun

1. (baseball) an out that advances the base runners
2. the act of killing (an animal or person) in order to propitiate a deity
3. a loss entailed by giving up or selling something at less than its value
   • he had to sell his car at a considerable sacrifice
4. personnel that are sacrificed (e.g., surrendered or lost in order to gain an objective)
5. the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.

Verb

1. make a sacrifice of; in religious rituals
2. sell at a loss
3. kill or destroy
   • The animals were sacrificed after the experiment
   • The general had to sacrifice several soldiers to save the regiment
4. endure the loss of
   • He gave his life for his children
   • I gave two sons to the war