Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

mactation

noun
mac·ta·tion | \ makˈtāshən \
plural -s

Definition of mactation 

: an act of killing especially : the ritual slaughter of a sacrificial victim

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for mactation

Late Latin mactation-, mactatio, from Latin mactatus (past participle of mactare to honor, sacrifice, slay, slaughter, from mactus worshiped, honored) + -ion-, -io -ion

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about mactation

Dictionary Entries near mactation

macrurous

Macrurus

Mactan

mactation

Mactra

Mactridae

Macú

Statistics for mactation

Look-up Popularity

Comments on mactation

What made you want to look up mactation? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

lenitive

alleviating pain or harshness

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Musical Words Quiz

  • gramophone
  • Which word describes a musical performance marked by the absence of instrumental accompaniment?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games