ENGLISH
REFERENCE

slaying

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈsɫeɪɪŋ// UK //slˈeɪɪŋ// slay·ing

n. the act of killing someone or something in a violent way. It is often used in news stories about crimes or in old stories about heroes killing monsters.

n. the act of killing, especially in a violent or intentional manner. Often carries a literary or journalistic tone when describing homicides or the killing of mythical creatures.


SIMPLE

The knight was famous for his slaying of the dragon.

CONTEXTUAL

Local news outlets reported on the brutal slaying that occurred in the downtown district late last night.

COMPLEX

The epic poem concludes with the hero's dramatic slaying of his rival, a scene that scholars interpret as the symbolic triumph of order over primordial chaos.

Synonyms
Usage

Often appears in the construction 'the slaying of' followed by the victim.

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