- Great destruction resulting in the extensive loss of life,
especially by fire. a. Holocaust The genocide of European Jews
and others by the Nazis during World War II: “Israel emerged
from the Holocaust and is defined in relation to that
catastrophe” (Emanuel Litvinoff). b. A massive slaughter: “an
important document in the so-far sketchy annals of the Cambodian
holocaust” (Rod Nordland). - A sacrificial offering that is
consumed entirely by flames. Origin: Middle English, burnt
offering Origin: , from Old French holocauste Origin: , from
Latin holocaustum Origin: , from Greek holokauston Origin: ,
from Origin: neuter of holokaustos, burnt whole Origin: : holo-,
holo- Origin: + kaustos, burnt (from kaiein, to burn) Usage
Note: Holocaust - holˌo·causˈtal, holˌo·causˈtic adjective has a
secure place in the language when it refers to the massive
destruction of humans by other humans. Ninety-nine percent of
the Usage Panel accepts the use of holocaust in the phrase
nuclear holocaust. Sixty percent of the Panel a