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Holocaust

2 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means mass destruction of life, especially the Nazi genocide of Jews in World War II
1
Stage 1 of 2
holokauston
Greek · ancient
"a burnt offering"
literally completely burned, describing a sacrifice consumed entirely by fire
2
Stage 2 of 2
holocaust
English · 1300s
"total destruction, especially by fire"
originally meant total destruction by fire, later applied to genocide
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