mayhem

American  

[mey-hem, mey-uhm] / ˈmeɪ hɛm, ˈmeɪ əm /

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.

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mayhem British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of mayhem

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

Example Sentences

“Something like…” Nine drew a deep breath and rattled off the premonition in a single exhale: “On All Hallows’ Eve, Deadwood will bring mayhem to Fernlight.

From Literature

It has been nothing but a headache for passengers, but some analysts believe Clear stands to benefit from a protracted government shutdown and the mayhem that comes with it.

From Barron's

"It will be essential for borrowers to seek independent advice to keep on top of the mortgage mayhem."

From BBC

Perhaps he causes such extensive mayhem because he is the unintended side effect of a cataclysmic experiment.

From Salon

“They have come up with an ingenious way to create mayhem.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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