Hecatomb - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A hecatomb is a large-scale sacrifice or slaughter, originally referring to the ancient Greek practice of offering 100 oxen to the gods. It now denotes any massive destruction or loss of life.
Definition:
A great sacrifice or slaughter, originally involving 100 oxen in ancient Greece.
Synonyms:
massacre, slaughter, carnage, holocaust
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
celebration, peace, mercy
Common Collocations:
ancient hecatomb, ritual hecatomb, symbolic hecatomb
Derivatives:
hecatombs (plural), hecatombal (adjective)
Usage Tips:
Use "hecatomb" to describe large-scale sacrifices or metaphorical mass destruction in formal or literary contexts.
Common Phrases:
"hecatomb of war, " "hecatomb of lives, " "ritual hecatomb"
Etymology:
From Greek "hekatombē," meaning a sacrifice of 100 oxen ("hekaton" = hundred + "bous" = ox).
Examples:
- 1. The ancient Greeks performed a hecatomb to honor the gods.
- 2. The battle resulted in a hecatomb of soldiers on both sides.
- 3. Modern wars often feel like a hecatomb of innocent lives.
- 4. The poet described the plague as a hecatomb of suffering and death.