Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SLAUGH-TER, n. [slaw'ter; Sax. slæge; D. slagting; G. schlachten, to kill; Ir. slaighe; slaighim, to slay. See Slay.]

1. In a general sense, a killing. Applied to men, slaughter usually denotes great destruction of life by violent means; as, the slaughter of men in battle.
2. Applied to beasts, butchery; a killing of oxen or other beasts for market.