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slaughter definition

slaugh·ter (slôtər)

noun

  1. the killing of an animal or animals for food; butchering
  2. the killing of a human being, esp. in a brutal manner
  3. the killing of people in large numbers, as in battle
  4. Informal a complete defeat or victory

Etymology: ME slahter < ON slātr, lit., slain flesh, contr. < slattr, akin to OE sleaht, slaughter, death: for IE base see slay

transitive verb

  1. to kill (an animal or animals) for food; butcher
  2. to kill (people), esp. brutally or in large numbers
  3. Informal to conquer or defeat completely

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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