Etymology Map
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Massacre

3 stages from Vulgar Latin to English.

Today it means the brutal killing of many people

Where does the word "massacre" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin macellum, passing through Old French before entering English (1580s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
macellum
Vulgar Latin · ancient
"meat market"
possibly from 'macellarius', butcher
2
Stage 2 of 3
macecre
Old French · medieval
"slaughterhouse"
a butchery or shambles
3
Stage 3 of 3
massacre
English · 1580s
"slaughter"
the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre of 1572 spread it
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Read the full story

Massacre’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: macellum meant “meat market.” Possibly from 'macellarius', butcher. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as macecre. A butchery or shambles. It reached English by 1580s as massacre. The St Bartholomew's Day Massacre of 1572 spread it. Today, massacre means the brutal killing of many people.