/
ˈslɔːtə/
n.
- the killing of farm animals for food.
- the killing of a large number of people in a cruel or violent way.
- informal a thorough defeat.
v.
- kill (animals) for food.
- kill (people) in a cruel or violent way.
- informal defeat (an opponent) thoroughly.
Derivative
- slaughterer n.
- slaughterous adj.
Etymology
ME (as n.): from ON slátr ‘butcher's meat’; rel. to slay1.