mayhem

[ mey-hem, mey-uhm ]

noun

1. Law. the crime of willfully inflicting a bodily injury on another so as to make the victim less capable of self-defense or, under modern statutes, so as to cripple or mutilate the victim.
2. random or deliberate violence or damage.
3. a state of rowdy disorder:

   Antagonisms between the various factions at the meeting finally boiled over, and mayhem ensued.

mayhem

/ ˈmeɪhɛm /

noun

1. law the wilful and unlawful infliction of injury upon a person, esp (formerly) the injuring or removing of a limb rendering him less capable of defending himself against attack
2. any violent destruction or confusion

Word History and Origins

Origin of mayhem¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English maheym, maim, from Anglo-French mahe(i)m, mahaim, from Germanic; akin to Middle High German meidem “gelding,” Old Norse meitha “to injure”; maim

Word History and Origins

Origin of mayhem¹

C15: from Anglo-French mahem injury, from Germanic; related to Icelandic meitha to hurt. See maim

Example Sentences

According to Space.com, they rarely pose a direct threat to human life, but they can cause mayhem on Earth by interfering with the Earth’s magnetic field.

From BBC

He took some photos with other lookalikes before mayhem ensued and several people were arrested.

From Salon

When Frank the dog gets into the Christmas spirit, mayhem ensues, and Betty uses her problem-solving skills for a perfect solution.

From Los Angeles Times

"And the policemen doing their best in what can only be described as mayhem."

From BBC

The next time Doak got it was the marvellous moment of mayhem that saw Scotland score.

From BBC

Related Words

• anarchy
• commotion
• destruction
• fracas
• havoc
• pandemonium
• violence