hecatomb UK /ˈhɛkətuːm/US /ˈhɛkətoʊm/noun 3verb 1forms 3 noun3 •(historical) A great public sacrifice to the gods, originally of a hundred oxen; also, a great number of animals reserved for such a sacrifice.O be propitious, powerfull God of Arts, / I sheathe my weapons, and doe breake my darts, / Be then appeas'd, I'le offer to thy shrine, / An Heccatombe, of many spotted kine. — 1599 •(literary, figurative) A great number of animals, people, or things that are sacrificed or destroyed; any great sacrifice; also (generally), a large amount.O hecatombe! O catastrophe! / From Mydas pompe to Irus beggery! — 1598 •(historical) A great public sacrifice in other religions; also, a great number of animals or people reserved for such a sacrifice. verb1 •To provide (someone or something) with a hecatomb. formshecatombed · hecatombing · hecatombs
