noun
hecatomb
Hecatomb (noun) means a great public sacrifice to the gods, originally of a hundred oxen; also, a great number of animals reserved for such a sacrifice.
noun
1
A great public sacrifice to the gods, originally of a hundred oxen; also, a great number of animals reserved for such a sacrifice.
"For the god they speedily stationed the sacred hecatomb all in good order surrounding the well-built altar."
— Homer, Book 1 (2007)
2
A large public offering made in other religions, or the animals or people set aside for it.
3
A great number of animals, people, or things that are sacrificed or destroyed; any great sacrifice; also (generally), a large amount.
"During the royal hunt, the Shang killed wild beasts with reckless abandon, and consumed hecatombs of domestic animals at a bin banquet or a funeral."
— Karen Armstrong, The Axial Peoples (c. 1600 to 900 BCE) (2006)
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Etymology
The noun is a learned borrowing from Latin hecatombē (“great sacrifice of a hundred oxen, hecatomb”), from Ancient Greek ἑκατόμβη (hekatómbē, “great sacrifice of a hundred oxen, hecatomb; any animal sacrifice or large sacrifice”, from ἑκᾰτόν (hekătón, “hundred”) + βοῦς (boûs, “cattle, cow, ox”)). The verb is derived from the noun.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of hecatomb?
"hecatomb" (noun) means a great public sacrifice to the gods, originally of a hundred oxen; also, a great number of animals reserved for such a sacrifice.
What is another word for hecatomb?
Other words for "hecatomb" include cartload, assload, buttload, abundance, busload, bucketload.
What is the opposite of hecatomb?
Opposites of "hecatomb" include smidgen, modicum.
What are the different meanings of hecatomb?
"hecatomb" has 3 main meanings: 1. A great public sacrifice to the gods, originally of a hundred oxen; also, a great number of animals reserved for such a sacrifice; 2. A large public offering made in other religions, or the animals or people set aside for it; 3. A great number of animals, people, or things that are sacrificed or destroyed; any great sacrifice; also (generally), a large amount.
