slaughter
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2 ENTRIES FOUND:

1slaugh·ter

noun \ˈsl-tər\

Definition of SLAUGHTER

1
: the act of killing; specifically : the butchering of livestock for market
2
: killing of great numbers of human beings (as in battle or a massacre) : carnage

Examples of SLAUGHTER

  1. the slaughter of innocent people
  2. <all civilized nations should protest this senseless slaughter>

Origin of SLAUGHTER

Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse slātra to slaughter; akin to Old English sleaht slaughter, slēan to slay — more at slay
First Known Use: 14th century

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut

Rhymes with SLAUGHTER

2slaughter

transitive verb

Definition of SLAUGHTER

1
: to kill (animals) for food : butcher
2
a : to kill in a bloody or violent manner : slay
b : to kill in large numbers : massacre
3
: to discredit, defeat, or demolish completely
slaugh·ter·er \-tər-ər\ noun

Examples of SLAUGHTER

  1. Our team got slaughtered yesterday.
  2. <modern poultry farms slaughter a vast number of chickens every day>

First Known Use of SLAUGHTER

1535

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut

Rhymes with SLAUGHTER

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