Definition of "massacre"

massacre

/ˈmæs.ə.kə(ɹ)/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural massacres
1. The killing of a considerable number (usually limited to people) where little or no resistance can be made, with indiscriminate violence, without necessity, and contrary to civilized norms.
  Quotations
  I'll find a day to massacre them all,And raze their faction and their family
  c. 1588–1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act I, scene v]
2. (obsolete) Murder.
  Quotations
  The tyrannous and bloody act is done,—The most arch deed of piteous massacreThat ever yet this land was guilty of.
  c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals)
3. (figuratively) Any overwhelming defeat, as in a game or sport.
verb
third-person singular simple present massacres, present participle massacring, simple past and past participle massacred
1. (transitive) To kill in considerable numbers where little or no resistance can be made, with indiscriminate violence, without necessity, and contrary to civilized norms. (Often limited to the killing of human beings.)
  Quotations
  If James should be pleased to massacre them all, as Maximilian had massacred the Theban legion
  1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volumes (please specify |volume=I to V), London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans
2. (transitive, figuratively) To win against (an opponent) very decisively.
3. (transitive, figuratively) To perform (a work, such as a musical piece or a play) very poorly.
4. (transitive, proscribed) To kill with great force or brutality.
  Quotations
  Look how they massacred my boy.
  1972, The Godfather (film)

Definition of "massacre"

massacre

noun

Quotations

Quotations

verb

Quotations

Quotations