Butch"er*y (?), n. [OE. bocherie shambles, fr. F. boucherie. See Butcher, n.]

1.

The business of a butcher.

[Obs.]

2.

Murder or manslaughter, esp. when committed with unusual barbarity; great or cruel slaughter.

Shak.

The perpetration of human butchery. Prescott.

3.

A slaughterhouse; the shambles; a place where blood is shed.

[Obs.]

Like as an ox is hanged in the butchery. Fabyan.

Syn. -- Murder; slaughter; carnage. See Massacre.

 

© Webster 1913.