noun / verb
butcher
BUTCH-er/ˈbʊtʃər/
To slaughter animals and cut up their meat.
The butcher cuts a large piece of meat into steaks.
Etymology
Old French bochier meant “butcher” or “executioner” and probably originally meant “slaughterer of goats.” The modern occupation retains the meat-trade meaning, covering the preparation and sale of meat.
In context
The butcher sells meat from various animals together. There is no refrigeration, so he cuts and prepares the meat in direct sunlight.
More examples
- The farm butchers its livestock locally.
- He butchered the melody by playing every note too loudly.
- The dictator earned a reputation as a ruthless butcher.
Forms
butcher · butchers · butchered · butchering
Similar words
- slaughter
- Kills animals or people, while butcher can also mean cutting meat or ruining work.