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slaughter

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Slaughter is defined as to kill animals or people in large numbers or in a brutal way.

(verb)

An example of to slaughter is pigs being killed to be sold as pork.

See slaughter in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

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

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

transitive verb

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

Related Forms:

slaughterer noun

See slaughter in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The killing of animals especially for food.
The killing of a large number of people; a massacre: “I could not give my name to aid the slaughter in this war, fought on both sides for grossly material ends” (Sylvia Pankhurst).

transitive verb slaugh·tered, slaugh·ter·ing, slaugh·ters

To kill (animals) especially for food; butcher.
a. To kill (people) in large numbers; massacre.
b. To kill in a violent or brutal manner.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , of Scandinavian origin

Origin: ; akin to Old Norse slātr, butchery

Related Forms:

slaughˈter·er noun

slaughˈter·ous adjective

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