mayhem

noun may·hem \ˈmā-ˌhem, ˈmā-əm\

: actions that hurt people and destroy things : a scene or situation that involves a lot of violence

Full Definition of MAYHEM

a : willful and permanent deprivation of a bodily member resulting in the impairment of a person's fighting ability

b : willful and permanent crippling, mutilation, or disfigurement of any part of the body

: needless or willful damage or violence

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Origin of MAYHEM

Middle English mayme, mahaime, from Anglo-French mahaim mutilation, mayhem, from maheimer, mahaigner to maim, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Middle High German meiden gelding, Old Norse meitha to injure

First Known Use: 15th century

Rhymes with MAYHEM

Nahum

Medical Dictionary

mayhem

noun may·hem \ˈmā-ˌhem, ˈmā-əm\

Medical Definition of MAYHEM

: willful and permanent crippling, mutilation, or disfiguring of any part of another's body; also : the crime of engaging in mayhem <physicians, accused…of sterilizing her through trickery, were ordered held for trial on charges of conspiracy to commit mayhem—Associated Press>