havoc Meaning, Definition & Usage

Hav"oc noun

Etymology

W. hafog devastation, havoc; or, if this be itself fr. E. havoc, cf. OE. havot, or AS. hafoc hawk, which is a cruel or rapacious bird, or F. hai, voux! a cry to hounds.

Definitions

1. Wide and general destruction; devastation; waste.

   As for Saul, he made havoc of the church. Acts viii. 3.

   Ye gods, what havoc does ambition make Among your works! Addison.

Hav"oc transitive verb

Definitions

1. To devastate; to destroy; to lay waste.

   To waste and havoc yonder world. Milton.

Hav"oc interjection

Etymology

See Havoc, n.

Definitions

1. A cry in war as the signal for indiscriminate slaughter. Toone.

   Do not cry havoc, where you should but hunt With modest warrant. Shak.

   Cry 'havoc,' and let slip the dogs of war! Shak.