'sacrifice' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'sacrificium', where 'sacer' meant 'sacred' and 'facere' meant 'to make'.

'sacrificium' transformed into the Old French word 'sacrifice', and eventually became the modern English word 'sacrifice' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to make something sacred by offering it to a deity', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'giving up something valuable for the sake of others'.