slaughter

(slôˈtər)

1. The killing of animals especially for food.
2. 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).

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

Related Forms:

• slaughˈter·er noun

• slaughˈter·ous adjective