slaughter
1slaugh·ter
noun \ˈslȯ-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
- the slaughter of innocent people
- <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
2slaughter
transitive verbDefinition of SLAUGHTER
1
: to kill (animals) for food : butcher
3
: to discredit, defeat, or demolish completely
— slaugh·ter·er \-tər-ər\ noun
Examples of SLAUGHTER
- Our team got slaughtered yesterday.
- <modern poultry farms slaughter a vast number of chickens every day>
First Known Use of SLAUGHTER
1535
Related to SLAUGHTER
- Synonyms
- butcher, mow (down), massacre
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