mayhem
noun/ˈmeɪhem/
/ˈmeɪhem/
[uncountable]- fear and a great lack of order, usually caused by violent behaviour or by some sudden terrible event
- There was absolute mayhem when everyone tried to get out at once.
- It only takes a few stupid people to create mayhem in a crowd.
- The gales caused mayhem across much of the country.
- The terrorists brought mayhem to the crowded shopping area.
Word Originearly 16th cent.: from Old French mayhem (see maim). The sense ‘disorder’ (originally US) dates from the late 19th cent.
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mayhem