I. slaugh ‧ ter 1 /ˈslɔːtə $ ˈslɒːtər/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
1 . to kill an animal, especially for its meat
2 . to kill a lot of people in a cruel or violent way SYN butcher :
Hundreds of innocent civilians had been slaughtered by government troops.
3 . informal to defeat an opponent in a sport or game by a large number of points SYN hammer :
We got slaughtered, 110-54.
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THESAURUS
■ to kill a large number of people
▪ massacre to kill a large number of people in a violent way:
Thousands of peaceful demonstrators were massacred by the soldiers.
▪ slaughter to kill a large number of people in a violent way. Slaughter is also used about killing animals for food:
The army slaughtered thousands of civilians in an effort to stop the revolt.
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The pigs were slaughtered on the farm.
▪ exterminate to kill large numbers of a particular group, so that they no longer exist:
Hitler’s goal was to exterminate the Jews.
II. slaughter 2 BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old Norse ; Origin: slatr 'meat, killing animals for meat' ]
1 . when people kill animals, especially for their meat:
the export of live animals for slaughter
2 . when large numbers of people are killed in a cruel or violent way:
the slaughter of defenceless women and children