SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus

mactation

noun
Save Word
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

Learn More About mactation

Dictionary Entries Near mactation

Mactan

mactation

Mactra

See More Nearby Entries 

Statistics for mactation

Cite this Entry

“Mactation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mactation. Accessed 25 Jun. 2022.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

WORD OF THE DAY

noisome

Listen to the pronunciation of noisome

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Words Named After People

  • name tags
  • Namesake of the leotard, Jules Léotard had what profession?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

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