1. The killing of a considerable number of human beings under circumstances of atrocity or cruelty, or contrary to the usages of civilized people; as, the massacre on St. Bartholomew's Day.
2. Murder. [Obs.] Shak.
Syn. — Massacre, Butchery, Carnage. Massacre denotes the promiscuous slaughter of many who can not make resistance, or much resistance. Butchery refers to cold-blooded cruelty in the killing of men as if they were brute beasts. Carnage points to slaughter as producing the heaped-up bodies of the slain. I'll find a day to massacre them all, And raze their faction and their family. Shak. If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds, Brhold this pattern of thy butcheries. Shak. Such a scent I draw Of carnage, prey innumerable ! Milton.
MASSACRE
Mas"sa*cre, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Massacred; p. pr. & vb. n.
Massacring.] Etym: [Cf. F. massacrer. See Massacre, n.]
Defn: To kill in considerable numbers where much resistance can not be made; to kill with indiscriminate violence, without necessity, and contrary to the usages of nations; to butcher; to slaughter; — limited to the killing of human beings. If James should be pleased to massacre them all, as Maximian had massacred the Theban legion. Macaulay.
MASSACRER
Mas"sa*crer, n.
Defn: One who massacres. [R.]
MASSAGE
Mas"sage, n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: A rubbing or kneading of the body, especially when performed as a hygienic or remedial measure.
MASSAGIST
Mas"sag*ist, n.