\Mas"sa*cre\, n. [F., fr. LL. mazacrium; cf. Prov. G.
metzgern, metzgen, to kill cattle, G. metzger a butcher, and
LG. matsken to cut, hew, OHG. meizan to cut, Goth.
m['a]itan.]
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}.
Usage: 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.

\Mas"sa*cre\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Massacred}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Massacring}.] [Cf. F. massacrer. See {Massacre}, n.]
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.