slaughter
|slaugh/ter|
🇺🇸
/ˈslɔːtər/
🇬🇧
/ˈslɔːtə/
mass killing
Etymology
'slaughter' originates from Old Norse, specifically the word 'slátr,' where 'slátr' meant 'butcher's meat.'
'slátr' changed from the Old English word 'sleaht' and eventually became the modern English word 'slaughter'.
Initially, it meant 'butcher's meat,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'killing in large numbers.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the killing of animals for food.
The slaughter of cattle is a common practice in the meat industry.
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Noun 2
a violent killing of a large number of people.
The battle resulted in the slaughter of thousands of soldiers.
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Verb 2
to kill a large number of people in a violent way.
The army slaughtered the villagers without mercy.
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Last updated: 2025/01/14 00:15