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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Massacre \Mas"sa*cre\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Massacred}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Massacring}.] [Cf. F. massacrer. See {Massacre}, n.]
To kill in considerable numbers where much resistance can not
be made; to kill with indiscriminate violence, without
necessity, and contrary to the usages of nations; to butcher;
to slaughter; -- limited to the killing of human beings.
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If James should be pleased to massacre them all, as
Maximian had massacred the Theban legion. --Macaulay.
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Massacre \Mas"sa*cre\, n. [F., fr. LL. mazacrium; cf. Prov. G.
metzgern, metzgen, to kill cattle, G. metzger a butcher, and
LG. matsken to cut, hew, OHG. meizan to cut, Goth.
m['a]itan.]
1. The killing of a considerable number of human beings under
circumstances of atrocity or cruelty, or contrary to the
usages of civilized people; as, the massacre on St.
Bartholomew's Day; the St. Valentine's Day massacre; the
Amritsar massacre; the Wounded Knee massacre.
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2. Murder. [Obs.] --Shak.
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Syn: {Massacre}, {Butchery}, {Carnage}.

Usage: Massacre denotes the promiscuous slaughter of many who
can not make resistance, or much resistance. Butchery
refers to cold-blooded cruelty in the killing of men
as if they were brute beasts. Carnage points to
slaughter as producing the heaped-up bodies of the
slain.
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I'll find a day to massacre them all,
And raze their faction and their family. --Shak.
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If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds,
Brhold this pattern of thy butcheries. --Shak.
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Such a scent I draw
Of carnage, prey innumerable! --Milton.
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