— holocaustal , adj. — holocaustic , adj.
/hol"euh kawst', hoh"leuh-/ , n.
1. a great or complete devastation or destruction, esp. by fire.
2. a sacrifice completely consumed by fire; burnt offering.
3. ( usually cap. ) the systematic mass slaughter of European Jews in Nazi concentration camps during World War II (usually prec. by the ).
4. any mass slaughter or reckless destruction of life.
[ 1200-50; ME holocaustum (Vulgate) holókauston (Septuagint), neut. of holókaustos burnt whole. See HOLO-, CAUSTIC ]
Syn. 1. inferno, conflagration, ruin, havoc, ravage.