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self-sacrifice

[self-sak-ruh-fahys, self-]
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noun
  1. sacrifice of one's interests, desires, etc., as for duty or the good of another.
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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

gallanthelpfulheroicnobleunselfish

Examples from the Web for self-sacrificing

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

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

n.

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

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper