■ noun
1》 the practice or an act of killing an animal or person or surrendering a possession as an offering to a deity.
↘an animal, person, or object offered in this way.
2》 an act of giving up something of value for the sake of something that is of greater value or importance.
3》 (also ~ bunt or ~ fly ) Baseball a bunted or fly ball which puts the batter out but allows a base-runner to advance.
■ verb offer or give up as a ~.
Derivatives
sacrificial adjective
sacrificially adverb
Origin
ME: from OFr., from L. sacrificium ; related to sacrificus 'sacrificial', from sacer 'holy'.