massacre

mas|sa|cre¹ [ˈmæsəkə US -ər] n

[Date: 1500-1600; : Frenc]

1.) [U and C]

when a lot of people are killed violently, especially people who cannot defend themselves

▪ the only survivor of the massacre

massacre of

▪ the massacre of several hundred pro-democracy demonstrators

the Boston/Peterloo/Harperville etc massacre

▪ the infamous Peterloo massacre of 1819

2.) informal

a very bad defeat in a game or competition

▪ United lost in a 9-0 massacre.

massacre ²

massacre² v [T]

1.) to kill a lot of people or animals in a violent way, especially when they cannot defend themselves

▪ The army massacred more than 150 unarmed civilians.

▪ Tens of thousands of dolphins and small whales are brutally massacred every year.

see usage note ↑kill¹

2.) informal to defeat someone very badly in a game, competition etc

▪ The Cougars massacred the Bucs last night, 38 - 7.

3.) informal to spoil part of a play, a song etc by performing it very badly

▪ Unfortunately, Jones absolutely massacres the role of Ophelia.