Nearby Words

massacred

[mas-uh-ker] Origin

mas·sa·cre

[mas-uh-ker] noun, verb, -cred, -cring.
noun
1.
the unnecessary, indiscriminate killing of a large number of human beings or animals, as in barbarous warfare or persecution or for revenge or plunder.
2.
a general slaughter, as of persons or animals: the massacre of millions during the war.
3.
Informal. a crushing defeat, especially in sports.
verb (used with object)
4.
to kill unnecessarily and indiscriminately, especially a large number of persons.
5.
Informal. to defeat decisively, especially in sports.

:10

:09

:08

:07

:06

:05

:04

:03

:02

:01

Massacred is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.

Origin:
1575–85; (noun) < Middle French massacre, noun derivative of massacrer, Old French maçacrer, macecler, probably < Vulgar Latin *matteūcculāre, verbal derivative of *matteūca mallet (see mashie, mace1); (v.) < Middle French massacrer

mas·sa·crer [mas-uh-krer] , noun
un·mas·sa·cred, adjective


1, 2. carnage, extermination, butchery, genocide. 4. slay. See slaughter.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To massacred
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

massacre
1580s, from M.Fr. massacre "wholesale slaughter, carnage," from O.Fr. macacre, macecle "slaughterhouse, butchery," perhaps from L. macellum "provisions store, butcher shop." The noun is attested from 1580s. Related: Massacred.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Dictionary.com, LLC. Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved.
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature