butchering
nounEtymology From butcher + -ing.
› The act by which someone or something is butchered. › Dismemberment.
1
Dismemberment of animals as food.
- (coordinate in precise usage referring to animal carcasses)
- Great crowds turned out to watch the carcass portioned out. The butchering itself was rough and inexpert, conducted rapidly with a serrated knife on the side of the road.2026 April 21, Cal Flyn, “On the trail with the hunters who believe shooting big game can save Africa’s wildlife”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 22 Apr 2026:
2
Dismemberment of humans as manslaughter or murder.
› The act by which someone or something is butchered.
3
Broadly Killing, especially of a human being, regardless of whether any dismemberment is involved.
4
Figuratively Botching; a botched job.
- Derived terms
- pig butchering