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Bloodshed vs Massacre - What's the difference?

bloodshed | massacre |

In obsolete terms the difference between bloodshed and massacre

is that bloodshed is a bloodshot condition or appearance; an effusion of blood in the eye while massacre is murder.

As nouns the difference between bloodshed and massacre

is that bloodshed is the shedding or spilling of blood while massacre is the intentional killing of a considerable number of human beings, under circumstances of atrocity or cruelty, or contrary to the norms of civilized people.

As a verb massacre is

to kill in considerable numbers where much resistance can not be made; to kill with indiscriminate violence, without necessity, and contrary to the norms of civilized people; to butcher; to slaughter. Often limited to the killing of human beings.

bloodshed

English

Alternative forms

* bloudshed (obsolete)

Noun

(en noun)
  • The shedding or spilling of blood.
  • A slaughter; destruction of life, notably on a large scale.
  • (obsolete) The shedding of one's own blood; specifically, the death of Christ.
  • (obsolete) A bloodshot condition or appearance; an effusion of blood in the eye.

    • Synonyms

    * bloodletting * bloodbath, carnage

    Related terms

    * bloodshedder * bloodshedding

    References

    *

    massacre

    English

    Alternative forms

    * massacer (archaic)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The intentional killing of a considerable number of human beings, under circumstances of atrocity or cruelty, or contrary to the norms of civilized people.
    • the massacre on St. Bartholomew's Day
    St. Valentine's Day''' '''massacre
    Amritsar''' '''massacre
  • (obsolete) Murder.
  • * 1593 , , The Tragedy of Richard the Third
    • The tyrannous and bloody act is done,—
    The most arch deed of piteous massacre
    That ever yet this land was guilty of.
  • (figuratively) An overwhelming defeat.

    • Synonyms

    * butchery, carnage, slaughter. *: Massacre denotes the promiscuous slaughter of many who can not make resistance, or much resistance. *:* 1592 , , Titus Andronicus, I,v *:*: I'll find a day to massacre them all, And raze their faction and their family *: Butchery refers to cold-blooded cruelty in the killing of men as if they were brute beasts. *:* 1593 , , Richard III, I,ii *:*: If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds, Behold this pattern of thy butcheries *: Carnage points to slaughter as producing the heaped-up bodies of the slain. *:* 1674 , , Paradise Lost *:*: Such a scent I draw Of carnage , prey innumerable!

    Related terms

    * mass murder * massacrer * massacree

    Verb

    (massacr)
  • To kill in considerable numbers where much resistance can not be made; to kill with indiscriminate violence, without necessity, and contrary to the norms of civilized people; to butcher; to slaughter.
  • * 1849 , , The History Of England From the Accession of James II
    • If James should be pleased to massacre' them all, as Maximilian had ' massacred the Theban legion
  • (figuratively)