self-immolation

[ self-im-uh-ley-shuhn ]

noun

1. voluntary sacrifice or denial of oneself, as for an ideal or another person.

self-immolation

noun

1. the act or an instance of setting fire to oneself

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-immolation¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

Or is it “a beautiful flare of ruin, self-immolation, disaster?”

From The Daily Beast

In higher-income countries, self-immolation was rare and most often carried out by males, many of whom had a psychiatric history.

From The Daily Beast

Kent Sepkowitz looks at the centuries-long practice of self-immolation—and why it persists from India to Vietnam to Iran.

From The Daily Beast

Self-immolation has been around for centuries, having been intermittently practiced by protesting monks in the East.

From The Daily Beast

A review of one aspect (PDF) of the problem—copy-cat self-immolation—provides additional detail.

From The Daily Beast

Self-immolation were easy in comparison with the infliction of one pang on her.

From Project Gutenberg

Even if this reads like slavery or self-immolation, what do you care?

From Project Gutenberg

To wish Senta had a reasonable cause for her ecstasy of self-immolation is, of course, to wish the Dutchman were not the Dutchman.

From Project Gutenberg

These acts of self-immolation were esteemed exceedingly meritorious.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, and only then, under the eyes of an uncomprehending sex, did the true caliber of Gavans self-immolation flash upon her.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• persecution