slaughterhouse
UK: ˈslɔːtəhaʊs | US: ˈslɔːtərhaʊs
n. a building where animals are killed for food
n. (figuratively) a place or situation involving violent destruction or bloodshed
The word "slaughterhouse" is a compound of "slaughter" (from Old English sleaht, meaning "killing" or "butchery") and "house" (from Old English hūs, meaning "dwelling" or "structure"). The term emerged in Middle English to specifically denote a place designated for the systematic killing of livestock. Over time, it also gained metaphorical use to describe scenes of mass violence. The morphemes retain their original spelling and combine logically to reflect the word's function.
The cows were transported to the slaughterhouse at dawn.
Activists protested outside the slaughterhouse, demanding better animal welfare standards.
The battlefield was described as a slaughterhouse after the brutal conflict.
Modern slaughterhouses must comply with strict hygiene regulations.
He compared the chaotic office to a slaughterhouse during peak hours.