HOLOCAUST


Meaning of HOLOCAUST in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈhō-lə-ˌkȯst, ˈhä- also ]

-ˌkäst or ˈhȯ-lə-kȯst 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

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.