mactation

noun

mac·​ta·​tion

makˈtāshən

plural -s

: an act of killing

especially : the ritual slaughter of a sacrificial victim

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin mactation-, mactatio, from Latin mactatus (past participle of mactare to honor, sacrifice, slay, slaughter, from mactus worshiped, honored) + -ion-, -io -ion

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