Meaning & Definition of word "Slaughter"
to
Slaughter
/ˈslɔː.tər/
noun:
- 1. The killing of animals for food or the brutal killing of people.
- Example: The slaughter of the sheep was conducted in a humane manner.
- 2. A violent massacre or a large-scale killing.
- Example: The movie depicted the slaughter of innocents during the war.
verb:
- 1. To kill (an animal) for food.
- Example: They decided to slaughter the pig for the winter feast.
- 2. To kill in a brutal or violent manner.
- Example: The historian detailed how the invaders slaughtered the village.
- 3. To defeat someone or something very severely.
- Example: The home team slaughtered their opponents in the championship match.
Etymology
Middle English 'slaughter', from Old English 'sleaht' meaning 'slaying, killing'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
lamb to the slaughter:
A person or animal being led to a situation where they will face destruction or suffering without awareness.
slaughterhouse:
A place where animals are slaughtered for food.
slaughtered by the competition:
To be decisively defeated in a competition or comparison.
Related Words
butcher:
A person who slaughters animals or sells meat.
carnage:
The killing of a large number of people, especially in a war.
bloodshed:
The killing or wounding of people, typically in violent situations.
Slang Meanings of slaughter
Meaning: To dominate or defeat someone completely.
Example Sentence: We slaughtered them in the game.
Meaning: To make a mess of something.
Example Sentence: He really slaughtered that exam.