[slaugh.ter] n [ME, of Scand origin; akin to ON slatra to slaughter; akin to OE sleaht slaughter, slean to slay--more at slay] (14c) 1: the act of killing; specif: the butchering of livestock for market
2: killing of great numbers of human beings (as in battle or a massacre): carnage
[2]slaughter vt (1535) 1: to kill (animals) for food: butcher
2. a: to kill in a bloody or violent manner: slay b: to kill in large numbers: massacre
3: to discredit or demolish completely -- slaugh.ter.er n