slaughter
1. slaugh.ter \'slo.t-*r\ n [ME, of Scand origin; akin to ON sla-tra to slaughter; akin to OE s]leaht slaughter, sle-an to slay - more at SLAY 1: the act of killing; specif : the butchering of livestock for mar ket 2: destruction of human lives in battle : CARNAGE 2. slaughter \-*r-*r\ vt 1: to kill (animals) for food : BUTCHER 2a: to kill in a bloody or violent manner : SLAY 2b: to kill in large numbers : MASSACRE - slaugh.ter.er n