sanguinary

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   involving or accompanied by much bloodshed

   The rebellion ended after a brief but sanguinary battle outside the capital.

2. 2
   adj

   eager to shed blood; cruelly violent or bloodthirsty

   The novel's sanguinary tyrant orders the execution of every suspected rival.

From Middle English sanguinarie, from Latin sanguinarius, relating to blood or bloodshed, from sanguis, blood. The English word developed both a passive sense, marked by bloodshed, and an active one, eager to cause it.

Topics