Molochize

English edit

Alternative forms edit

Molochise

Etymology edit

Moloch +‎ -ize, named after Moloch, a Biblical pagan god.

Pronunciation edit

(UK) IPA^(key): /ˈməʊlɒkaɪz/
(US) IPA^(key): /ˈmoʊlɑkaɪz/, /ˈmɑləkaɪz/

Verb edit

Molochize (third-person singular simple present Molochizes, present participle Molochizing, simple past and past participle Molochized)

(intransitive, transitive) To offer as a sacrifice.[19th century]
- 1823, William Hone, “February 23: Stoning the Jews in Lent.—A Custom.”, in The every-day book, or, The guide to the year, volume 2, page 295:
  Humanity was dead, for superstition Molochized the heart.
- 1876, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Harold: A Drama, page 21:
  Look to the skies, then to the river, strike / Their hearts, and hold their babies up to it. / I think that they would Molochize them too, / To have the heavens clear.