Slay | v. t. [ imp. Slew p. p. Slain p. pr. & vb. n. Slaying. ] [ OE. slan, sl&unr_;n, sleen, slee, AS. sleán to strike, beat, slay; akin to OFries. slā, D. slaan, OS. & OHG. slahan, G. schlagen, Icel. slā, Dan. slaae, Sw. sl&unr_;, Goth. slahan; perhaps akin to L. lacerare to tear to pieces, Gr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;, E. lacerate. Cf. Slaughter, Sledge a hammer, Sley. ] To put to death with a weapon, or by violence; hence, to kill; to put an end to; to destroy. [ 1913 Webster ] With this sword then will I slay you both. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ] I will slay the last of them with the sword. Amos ix. 1. [ 1913 Webster ] I'll slay more gazers than the basilisk. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- To kill; murder; slaughter; butcher. [ 1913 Webster ] |