What does "hecatomb" mean?
A great public sacrifice to the gods, originally of a hundred oxen; also, a great number of animals reserved for such a sacrifice.
Hecatomb
/ˈhɛkətuːm/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A great public sacrifice to the gods, originally of a hundred oxen; also, a great number of animals reserved for such a sacrifice.
- Grammar: hecatomb is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: bicentennial, bloodbath, breakup, carnage.
- Useful contrasts: minor incident, minor sacrifice, small offering.
- Usage evidence: O be propitious, powerfull God of Arts, / I sheathe my weapons, and doe breake my darts, / Be then appeas'd, I'le offer to thy shrine, / An Heccatombe, of many spotted kine.
How to use "hecatomb"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "hecatomb" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "hecatomb" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "hecatomb" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "hecatomb" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "bicentennial" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
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. Ancient-Rome, historical
"O be propitious, powerfull God of Arts, / I sheathe my weapons, and doe breake my darts, / Be then appeas'd, I'le offer to thy shrine, / An Heccatombe, of many spotted kine."
- 2 a great sacrifice; an ancient Greek or Roman sacrifice of 100 oxen wordnet
- 3 A great public sacrifice in other religions; also, a great number of animals or people reserved for such a sacrifice. broadly, historical
"The tutelary deity of the Aztecs was the god of war. The great object of their military expeditions was, to gather hecatombs of captives for his altars. The soldier, who fell in battle, was transported at once to the region of ineffable bliss in the bright mansions of the Sun."
- 4 A great number of animals, people, or things that are sacrificed or destroyed; any great sacrifice; also (generally), a large amount. figuratively, literary, poetic
"O hecatombe! O catastrophe! / From Mydas pompe to Irus beggery!"
Verb
- 1 To provide (someone or something) with a hecatomb. transitive
Antonyms
minor incidentminor sacrificesmall offeringsmall-scale event
Example
"O be propitious, powerfull God of Arts, / I sheathe my weapons, and doe breake my darts, / Be then appeas'd, I'le offer to thy shrine, / An Heccatombe, of many spotted kine."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "hecatomb"?
Common synonyms include: bicentennial, bloodbath, breakup, carnage, centenarian, centennial.
How do you use "hecatomb" in a sentence?
O be propitious, powerfull God of Arts, / I sheathe my weapons, and doe breake my darts, / Be then appeas'd, I'le offer to thy shrine, / An Heccatombe, of many spotted kine.
How do you pronounce "hecatomb"?
Pronounced /ˈhɛkətuːm/.
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.