Slaughter (?), n. [OE. slautir, slaughter, slaghter, Icel. slātr slain flesh, modified by OE. slaught, slaht, slaughter, fr. AS. sleaht a stroke, blow; both from the root of E. slay. See Slay, v. t., and cf. Onslaught.] The act of killing. Specifically: (a) The extensive, violent, bloody, or wanton destruction of life; carnage.
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On war and mutual slaughter bent. Milton.
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(b) The act of killing cattle or other beasts for market.
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Syn. -- Carnage; massacre; butchery; murder; havoc.
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