rhizoverbBeta
DictionarybloodshedViolent killing or injury
noun

bloodshed

BLUD-shed/ˈblʌdʃed/

Killing or injury involving violence and loss of blood.

The damaged shield and bloodstained cloak suggest recent bloodshed.

Aftermath of violence shown by abandoned cracked wooden shield and torn cloak with a small restrained dark-red blood stain on dusty ground; no bodies, wounds or weapons in use.
Etymology
bloodOld Englishblood
+shedOld Englishto separate, scatter

Blood plus shed pictures blood being spilled from the body. The phrase became a noun for the violence that causes such bleeding, especially slaughter.

In context

Dynastic Profiles11:25
end the years of bloodshed that had followed from Rothstein's killing
Genovese Crime: Family The Most Powerful Mafia in History Documentary

More examples

  • Negotiations prevented further bloodshed.
  • They mourned the bloodshed.
  • The dispute ended without bloodshed.

Forms

bloodshed

Similar words

violence
Can occur without blood loss or death.
slaughter
Emphasizes extensive killing.