HAVOC

havoc, mayhem

(noun) violent and needless disturbance

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

havoc (usually uncountable, plural havocs)

widespread devastation, destruction

mayhem

Usage notes

The noun havoc is most often used in the set phrase wreak havoc.

Verb

havoc (third-person singular simple present havocs, present participle havocking, simple past and past participle havocked)

To pillage.

To cause havoc.

Usage notes

As with other verbs ending in vowel + -c, the gerund-participle is sometimes spelled havocing, and the preterite and past participle is sometimes spelled havoced; for citations using these spellings, see their respective entries. However, the spellings havocking and havocked are far more common. Compare panic, picnic.

Interjection

havoc

A cry in war as the signal for indiscriminate slaughter.

Source: Wiktionary


Hav"oc, n. Etym: [W. hafog devastation, havoc; or, if this be itself fr. E. havoc, cf. OE. havot, or AS. hafoc hawk, which is a cruel or rapacious bird, or F. hai, voux! a cry to hounds.]

Definition: Wide and general destruction; devastation; waste. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church. Acts viii. 3. Ye gods, what havoc does ambition make Among your works! Addison.

Hav"oc, v. t.

Definition: To devastate; to destroy; to lay waste. To waste and havoc yonder world. Milton.

Hav"oc, interj. Etym: [See Havoc, n.]

Definition: A cry in war as the signal for indiscriminate slaughter. Toone. Do not cry havoc, where you should but hunt With modest warrant. Shak. Cry 'havoc,' and let slip the dogs of war! Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

26 February 2025

ACRIMONIOUS

(adjective) marked by strong resentment or cynicism; ā€œan acrimonious disputeā€; ā€œbitter about the divorceā€


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