Havoc
/ˈhæv.ək/noun
Widespread destruction or disorder.
Did you know?In medieval times, declaring 'havoc' during battle signaled the right to pillage and destroy, unleashing chaos in the name of war.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
English
havok
“A battle cry calling for destruction and pillaging.”
Old French
Old French
havoc
“To lay waste, to destroy.”
Latin
Latin
avocare
“To call away, divert.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂eweg-
“To move, to drive, often implying chaos or disturbance.”