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butchery

butch·er·y [ bchəree ] (plural butch·er·ies)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. brutal killing: brutal, senseless, and cruel slaughter of people, usually in large numbers
an act of appalling butchery

2. use of knives on carcass: the use of knives or other tools to remove meat from an animal's carcass

3. butcher's work: the work of somebody who sells meat at retail or who slaughters animals for their meat

4. incompetence: an incompetent attempt at a job, performance, or activity ( informal )
the singer's butchery of the melody

[14th century. < French boucherie< Old French bo(u)chier (see butcher)]
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