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hecatomb

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noun hec·a·tomb \ˈhe-kə-ˌtōm\

Definition of hecatomb

  1. 1 :  an ancient Greek and Roman sacrifice of 100 oxen or cattle

  2. 2 :  the sacrifice or slaughter of many victims

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Origin and Etymology of hecatomb

Latin hecatombe, from Greek hekatombē, from hekaton hundred + -bē; akin to Greek bous cow — more at hundred, cow

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