n.
Pronunciation: ' slo ̇ -t ə r
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse sl ā tra to slaughter; akin to Old English sleaht slaughter, sl ē an to slay ― more at SLAY
Date: 14th century
1 : the act of killing specifically : the butchering of livestock for market
2 : killing of great numbers of human beings (as in battle or a massacre) : CARNAGE