human sacrifice
"Human sacrifice" involves the ritualistic killing of individuals, often as offerings to deities or as part of religious or cultural practices.
Definition
C1Religious Rituals
(historical, cultural)The act of ritually killing one or more people, typically as an offering to deities or as part of religious ceremonies.
Example
- Ancient civilizations like the Aztecs practiced human sacrifice to honor their gods.
- Human sacrifice was believed to ensure a good harvest in some cultures.
C1Cultural Practices
(historical, cultural)The ceremonial killing of a person as part of a cultural or traditional practice.
Example
- Human sacrifice was a common practice among the Incas during certain festivals.
- The ritual of human sacrifice aimed to unify the divine and mortal realms.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "human sacrifice":