sacrificer

[Eng. sacrific (e), v.;-er.] One who sacrifices. săc-ri-fiç-ial (ças sh), a . [Latin sacrificial is , from sacrificium =sacrifice (q. v.).] Pertaining to or connected with sacrifice; performing sacrifice: consisting in sacrifice. sacrificial-mound, s. Anthrop.: (See extract.) "The name of sacrificial - mounds has been conferred on a cla of monuments peculiar to the New World. The most noticeable characteristics of the sacrificial mounds are: Their almost invariable occurrence within enclosures; their regular construction in uniform layers of gravel, earth, and sand, disposed alternately in strata conformable to the shape of the mound; and their cover- ing a symmetrical hearth or altar of burnt clay or stone, on which are deposited numerous relics, in all instances exhibiting traces, more or le abundant, of their having been exposed to the action of fire."-D. Wilson: Pre his to rio Man, i. 293. săc-ri-lege, *săc-ri-ledge, *sac-ri-legge, [ Fr.sacrilége , from Lat. sacrilegium =the robbing of a temple, the stealing of sacred things, from sac rilegus =a sacrilegious person, one who steals from a temple: sacer sacred, and lego to gather, to steal; Port., & Ital. sacrilegio .] 1. The violation or profanation of sacred things. "Sacrilege is the diversion of holy and ecclesia stick things to prophane and secular use."-Spelman: English Words . (Pref.) 2. Specifically : (1) The alienation to laymen or to common pur poses of what has been dedicated, appropriated, or consecrated to religious persons or purposes. IMG:content-0874.png:[blocks in formation] "But sacrilegious thou, hast all great works defac'd." Drayton: Polyolbion, s. 21. 2. Characterized by involving sacrilege; profane, impious. "May hate pursue his sacrilegious lust!" Byron: Curse of Minerva. săc-ri-le-gioŭs-lý, adv . [ Eng.sacrilegious ; -ly.] In a sacrilegious manner; with sacrilege; profanely, impiously. săc-ri-le-gioŭs-ne , s. [English sacrilegious ; ne .] The quality or state of being sacrilegious; profanity, impiety.