Massacre
Noun
Definition: The cruel and violent killing of a large number of people.
Synonyms: Slaughter, Butchery, Bloodbath
Antonyms: Rescue, Liberation
- The infamous massacre resulted in the death of hundreds of innocent civilians.
- Think of the word "mass" in massacre, which implies a large number of something.
- Imagine a horrific scene with bloodshed, representing the cruel nature of a massacre.
Etymology:
The word "massacre" originated in late Middle English from the Old French word "masacre," which means to butcher, causing violence, and to slaughter. It can be traced back to the Latin word "massacrare," meaning to slaughter sacrificial animals.
Historical Usage:The term has been used throughout history to describe various violent and large-scale killings, occurring during wars, conflicts, or as acts of terrorism.
Related Idioms:
"The St. Valentine's Day Massacre"
Explanation:Refers to the infamous event that took place on February 14, 1929, in Chicago, where seven members of the North Side Gang were murdered in a mob-related conflict. The phrase became iconic and synonymous with violent and ruthless massacres.
Misconceptions:
Using the term "massacre" too loosely or incorrectly to describe events that may not involve a large number of people being killed.
Explanation:A massacre specifically refers to a brutal and numerous killing of people. It should not be used to describe any violent act or single murder.