self-sacrifice

[self-sak-ruh-fahys, self-]

See more synonyms for self-sacrifice on Thesaurus.com

noun

sacrifice of one's interests, desires, etc., as for duty or the good of another.

Origin of self-sacrifice

First recorded in 1795–1805

Related formsself-sac·ri·fic·er, nounself-sac·ri·fi·cial

[self-sak-ruh-fish-uh l, self-] /ˈsɛlfˌsæk rəˈfɪʃ əl, ˌsɛlf-/, adjectiveself-sac·ri·fic·ing, adjectiveself-sac·ri·fic·ing·ly, adverbself-sac·ri·fic·ing·ness, nounun·self-sac·ri·fi·cial, adjectiveun·self-sac·ri·fi·cial·ly, adverbun·self-sac·ri·fic·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for self-sacrificing

gallant, helpful, heroic, noble, unselfish

Examples from the Web for self-sacrificing

Contemporary Examples of self-sacrificing

So she has to be perfect and self-sacrificing to the point of self-annihilation.
Postpartum Stigma: Why My Patient Committed Suicide
Jean Kim
August 5, 2014

Historical Examples of self-sacrificing

Then it was that she learned the truth of his self-sacrificing devotion.
The Monster Men
Edgar Rice Burroughs
You have demonstrated a love that is high, and noble, and self-sacrificing.
The Monster Men
Edgar Rice Burroughs
But, gentle and self-sacrificing as ever, she recovered herself immediately.
The Downfall
Emile Zola
But this self-sacrificing proposal was dubiously received by both the ladies.
Cap'n Dan's Daughter
Joseph C. Lincoln
Does not every act of my self-sacrificing life point to such an aim?
Love-at-Arms
Raphael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for self-sacrificing

self-sacrifice

noun

the sacrifice of one's own desires, interest, etc, for the sake of duty or for the well-being of others

Derived Formsself-sacrificing, adjectiveself-sacrificingly, adverb

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

Word Origin and History for self-sacrificing

self-sacrifice

1805, from self- + sacrifice (n.). Adjective self-sacrific'd attested from 1711. Related: self-sacrificing.