massacre Hear it!

massacre definition

mas·sa·cre (mas′ə kər)

noun

    1. the indiscriminate, merciless killing of a number of human beings
    2. a large-scale slaughter of animals
  2. Informal an overwhelming defeat, as in sports

Etymology: Fr < OFr maçacre, macecle, butchery, shambles < ?

transitive verb massacred -·cred (-kərd), massacring -·cring (-kər iŋ, -kriŋ)

  1. to kill indiscriminately and mercilessly and in large numbers
  2. Informal to defeat overwhelmingly

Related Forms:

  • massacrer mas′·sa·crer (-kər ər, -krər) noun

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