Carnage
/ˈkɑːr.nɪdʒ/noun
The killing of a large number of people; massacre.
Did you know?The word "carnage" stems from Latin roots meaning 'flesh' and 'to cut,' reflecting the violent nature of its historical usage in battle and slaughter.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
carnāgĭo
“slaughter, killing of flesh.”
Old French
Old French
carnage
“carnage, slaughter, from Latin origins.”
14th Century
Middle English
carnage
“massacre, derived from Old French.”
Modern English
English
carnage
“the widespread killing of people, especially in battles.”