immolate

[ im-uh-leyt ]

/ ˈɪm əˌleɪt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR immolate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), im·mo·lat·ed, im·mo·lat·ing.

to sacrifice.

to kill as a sacrificial victim, as by fire; offer in sacrifice.

to destroy by fire.

Nearby words

immoderacy, immoderate, immoderation, immodest, immokalee, immolate, immolation, immoral, immoralism, immoralist, immorality

Origin of immolate

1540–50; < Latin immolātus, past participle of immolāre to sprinkle with holy meal prior to sacrificing, sacrifice, equivalent to im- im-¹ + mol(a) sacrificial barley cake, literally, millstone (see mill¹) + -ātus -ate¹

Related forms

im·mo·la·tor, nounun·im·mo·lat·ed, adjective

Can be confused

emulate immolate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for immolate

He was threatening to immolate both of them when police ended a standoff by grabbing him.
Indiana Serial Killer’s Confession Was Just the Start|Michael Daly|October 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Lastly, President Obama should ask his counterpart what is driving young Tibetan monks and nuns to immolate themselves in protest.
Obama, Don’t Let Xi Forget China’s Human Rights Record|Yang Jianli|June 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
After sacrificing the greater animals, then we immolate the others.
Diderot and the Encyclopdists|John Morley
Perhaps it was her destiny to immolate herself for duty to the end.
The Readjustment|Will Irwin

They went so far as to immolate their own children on the altars of evil deities, in order to appease them.
Pagan Origin of Partialist Doctrines|John Claudius Pitrat
How soon does she propose to immolate her victim on the altar of sacrifice?
The Bride of the Tomb and Queenie's Terrible Secret|Mrs. Alexander McVeigh Miller
Woe to the nation that disregards it, and consents to immolate its principles to its interests!
The Uprising of a Great People|Count Agnor de Gasparin

British Dictionary definitions for immolate

immolate

/ (ˈɪməʊˌleɪt) /

verb (tr)

to kill or offer as a sacrifice, esp by fire

literary to sacrifice (something highly valued)

Derived Forms

immolation, nounimmolator, noun

Word Origin for immolate

C16: from Latin immolāre to sprinkle an offering with sacrificial meal, sacrifice, from im- (in) + mola spelt grain; see mill 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012