immolate
[im-uh-leyt]
- to sacrifice.
- to kill as a sacrificial victim, as by fire; offer in sacrifice.
- to destroy by fire.
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Origin of immolate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for immolate
Contemporary Examples
He was threatening to immolate both of them when police ended a standoff by grabbing him.
Lastly, President Obama should ask his counterpart what is driving young Tibetan monks and nuns to immolate themselves in protest.
Historical Examples
After sacrificing the greater animals, then we immolate the others.
Diderot and the EncyclopdistsJohn Morley
They were about to immolate a turtle-dove, but the Princess saved its life, and let it fly.
The Frog Prince and Other StoriesAnonymous
Perhaps it was her destiny to immolate herself for duty to the end.
The ReadjustmentWill Irwin
One among ms must immolate himself, study the malady, seek its cure.
EgoistsJames Huneker
The heads which they have sworn to immolate must be obtained at any cost.
The Human RaceLouis Figuier
immolate
- to kill or offer as a sacrifice, esp by fire
- literary to sacrifice (something highly valued)
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Word Origin
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
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Word Origin and History for immolate
v.
1540s, "to sacrifice, kill as a victim," from Latin immolatus, past participle of immolare "to sacrifice," originally "to sprinkle with sacrificial meal," from assimilated form of in- "into, in, on, upon" (see in- (2)) + mola (salsa) "(sacrificial) meal," related to molere "to grind" (see mallet). Related: Immolated; immolating.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper