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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Slaughter

Slaugh'ter, n.

noun

(slaw'ter), n. [Icel. slātr, slain flesh, sláttr, a blow, Goth. slauhts, slaughter, butchery, Ger. schlachter, schlāchter, a butcher, schlachten, to butcher, to slay, q. v.]

  1. The extensive and unnecessary destruction of human life; carnage. “On war and mutual slaughter bent.” Milton.
  2. The act of killing, as a matter of business; as, the slaughter of oxen, or other beasts, for market.

Syn. — Carnage; massacre; butchery; murder; havoc.

Slaugh'ter, v. t.

verbtransitive

(slaw'ter), v. t. [imp. & p. p. SLAUGHTERED; p. pr. & vb. n. SLAUGHTERING.] 1. To visit with great destruction of life; to kill; to slay in battle. Your castle is surprised; your wife and babes Savagely slaughtered. Shak. 2. To butcher; to kill for the market, as beasts.