holocaust
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ho·lo·caust

noun \ˈhō-lə-ˌkst, ˈhä- also -ˌkäst or ˈh-lə-kst\

Definition of HOLOCAUST

1
: a sacrifice consumed by fire
2
: a thorough destruction involving extensive loss of life especially through fire <a nuclear holocaust>
3
a often capitalized : the mass slaughter of European civilians and especially Jews by the Nazis during World War II —usually used with the
b : a mass slaughter of people; especially : genocide

Examples of HOLOCAUST

  1. The museum is devoted to the Holocaust.
  2. There were fears of a nuclear holocaust.

Origin of HOLOCAUST

Middle English, from Late Latin holocaustum, from Greek holokauston, from neuter of holokaustos burnt whole, from hol- + kaustos burnt, from kaiein to burn — more at caustic
First Known Use: 13th century

Other History Terms

agonistic, carpetbagger, enceinte, fief, historiography, paladin

Rhymes with HOLOCAUST

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