carnage
UK: ˈkɑːnɪdʒ | US: ˈkɑːrnɪdʒ
n. the killing of a large number of people, especially in a violent manner (mass slaughter)
n. (figuratively) widespread destruction or devastation
carnage = carn<flesh> + age<noun suffix>
- carn: From Latin carn- (stem of caro), meaning "flesh."
- age: A noun-forming suffix derived from Latin -aticum, indicating a state, condition, or result.
Etymology Origin:
The word carnage traces back to Latin carnaticum (slaughter of animals), later evolving in Old French as carnage (mass killing). The root carn- reflects its gruesome association with flesh, while -age generalizes it into a state or event. Historically, it described battlefield slaughter but expanded metaphorically to denote any large-scale destruction.
The battle left behind a scene of utter carnage.
Protesters accused the government of perpetrating carnage against civilians.
The documentary exposed the carnage of illegal wildlife hunting.
Financial crises often lead to economic carnage in vulnerable industries.
The hurricane’s carnage displaced thousands of residents.