Holocaust Definition
hŏlə-kôst, hōlə-
noun
A great or total destruction of life, specif. by fire.
Nuclear holocaust.
Webster's New World
The genocide of European Jews and other groups by the Nazis during World War II.
American Heritage
An offering the whole of which is burned; burnt offering.
Webster's New World
A massive slaughter.
American Heritage
Other Word Forms of Holocaust
Noun
Singular:
holocaust
Plural:
holocaustsIdioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Holocaust
- the Holocaust
Origin of Holocaust
Middle English burnt offering from Old French holocauste from Latin holocaustum from Greek holokauston from neuter of holokaustos burnt whole holo- holo- kaustos burnt (from kaiein to burn)
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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