n.
Pronunciation: ' he-k ə - ˌ t ō m
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin hecatombe, from Greek hekatomb ē , from hekaton hundred + -b ē ; akin to Greek bous cow ― more at HUNDRED , COW
Date: circa 1592
1 : an ancient Greek and Roman sacrifice of 100 oxen or cattle
2 : the sacrifice or slaughter of many victims