Main Entry:

ho·lo·caust

Pronunciation:

\ˈhō-lə-ˌkȯst, ˈhä- also -ˌkäst or ˈhȯ-lə-kȯst\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

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

Date:

13th century

1: a sacrifice consumed by fire2: a thorough destruction involving extensive loss of life especially through fire <a nuclear holocaust>3 aoften 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