n.
Pronunciation: ' h ō -l ə - ˌ ko ̇ st, ' hä- also - ˌ käst or ' ho ̇ -l ə -ko ̇ st
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin holocaustum, from Greek holokauston, from neuter of holokaustos burnt whole, from hol- + kaustos burnt, from kaiein to burn ― more at CAUSTIC
Date: 13th century
1 : a sacrifice consumed by fire
2 : a thorough destruction involving extensive loss of life especially through fire <a nuclear holocaust >
3 a often capitalized : the mass slaughter of European civilians and especially Jews by the Nazis during World War II ― usually used with the b : a mass slaughter of people especially : GENOCIDE