mayhem
UK: ˈmeɪ.hem | US: ˈmeɪ.hem
n. violent or damaging disorder; chaos
n. (Law) the crime of willfully inflicting bodily injury on another
mayhem = may<to maim, injure> + hem<state or condition>
- may (from Old French mahaignier, meaning "to maim or injure")
- hem (a variant of the suffix -hood or -dom, indicating a state or condition)
Etymology Origin:
The word "mayhem" originated in the 15th century from Anglo-French maihem, derived from Old French mahaignier ("to maim"). It originally referred to the legal term for the crime of intentionally causing bodily harm, particularly mutilation. Over time, its meaning broadened to describe any violent chaos or disorder, retaining its connection to physical harm while also encompassing metaphorical destruction.
The protest descended into mayhem after the police intervention.
The children left the house in complete mayhem after their playdate.
The courtroom erupted in mayhem when the verdict was announced.
The storm caused mayhem across the city, uprooting trees and damaging buildings.
In medieval law, mayhem was punishable by losing a corresponding body part.