From Oscar Wilde's essay *The Decay of Lying* (1891). Select the word that fits the blank. "Mr. Marion Crawford has ______ himself upon the altar of local colour. He is like the lady in the French comedy who keeps talking about 'le beau ciel d'Italie.'"

The metaphor is *upon the altar of*, which strongly suggests **sacrifice**. Wilde is mocking Crawford's writing as having *sacrificed itself* to the obsession with local colour (descriptive detail of place). "Immolated" — sacrificed, especially by fire — fits the altar imagery exactly. *Self-immolation* is the act of offering oneself up as a sacrifice. - "Set himself apart" makes Crawford sound distinguished, which conflicts with the satirical tone. - "Championed" would mean *defended vigorously* — that doesn't match *upon the altar of*. - "Enthroned" suggests honour and elevation, again missing the sacrificial sense. Origin: Latin *immolare*, *to sprinkle with sacrificial meal*, from *mola*, *sacrificial flour*. The English verb retained the sacrificial meaning while losing the specific ritual context. Wilde's altar metaphor reactivates the original sense.