immolation

Meanings

1. 1noununcountableformal

   The act of killing or destroying someone or something, especially by fire, as a sacrifice or protest.

   Grammar: Usually uncountable: death by immolation; self-immolation is the common compound.

   Patterns

   • the immolation of someone
   • self-immolation

   The monk's self-immolation drew worldwide attention.

   Ancient texts describe the immolation of animals at the altar.

2. 2noununcountablefigurativeliterary

   The complete sacrifice or giving up of something valuable for a cause or a goal.

   Grammar: Used figuratively and followed by of: the immolation of her career.

   Patterns

   • the immolation of something

   Critics spoke of the immolation of his reputation after the scandal.

   The film shows the slow immolation of a once-great company.

Word forms

Common combinations

self-immolation

Self-immolation is sometimes used as an extreme form of protest.

ritual immolation

The ritual immolation of livestock was once common.

death by immolation

The report described a death by immolation.

act of immolation

The act of immolation shocked the town.

Synonyms and how they differ

sacrifice

Broader; need not involve fire or death.

burning

Plain and general, without the ritual or protest sense.

offering

Suggests a gift to a god, and does not require destruction.

Word family

immolate verb

to kill or destroy as a sacrifice, especially by fire

immolator noun

one who immolates

Commonly confused: immolation or emulation?

Practice

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