feláldozását

Feláldozás is a Hungarian noun referring to the act of giving up something of value in order to achieve a higher purpose or benefit. The verb form, feláldozás‑t, means to sacrifice or to lay down. In religious and mythological contexts the term traditionally denotes ritual offerings to deities, such as the sacrifice of animals, grain or incense in ancient pagan and Christian ceremonies. In medieval Hungary, liturgical feasts often incorporated feasts, offerings of wine, and the symbolic casting of manna or bread.

In contemporary usage feláldozás has broadened to include altruistic acts in everyday life: sacrificing personal time, resources or comfort for the advantage of others, such as parents laying down their leisure for their children's education. The term also appears in political rhetoric, where leaders speak of sacrificing short‑term fiscal gains for long‑term national security.

Etymologically, feláldozás derives from the Old Hungarian *áldozás* (offer, sacrifice) with the prefix *fel-* indicating elevation or completion. The concept is mirrored in many Indo‑European languages, underscoring a universal cultural motif of giving up one’s own assets in pursuit of a collective good. Its presence in literary, legal, and everyday Hungarian reflects the enduring value placed on self‑sacrifice as a socially and morally significant act.

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