Slay
/sleɪ/noun
To kill or destroy in a violent manner.
Did you know?In Old English, 'slægan' meant 'to strike down', evoking imagery of not just death, but of ritualistic sacrifice.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
slēganą
“to strike or hit, implying a forceful action.”
Old English
OE
slægan
“to kill or strike down, particularly in battle.”
Middle English
ME
slayen
“to kill; used in both literal and metaphorical contexts.”
Modern English
Eng
slay
“to kill deliberately, especially in a dramatic or noteworthy way.”