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

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

Related to SLAUGHTER

Synonyms: bloodbath, butchery, carnage, death, holocaust, massacre

Related Words: bloodletting, bloodshed, foul play, homicide, killing, manslaughter, murder, slaying; mortality; annihilation, decimation, demolishing, destruction, devastation, eradication, extermination; genocide, pogrom; assassination, execution

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Other Animal Husbandry Terms

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

Rhymes with SLAUGHTER

daughter, water