How Do You Spell HECATOMBS?

Pronunciation: [hˈɛkɐtˌuːmz] (IPA)

Hecatombs, meaning a sacrifice of 100 cattle, is often misspelled despite its rarity. The word is pronounced /ˈhɛkətɒmz/ with four syllables, starting with the stressed 'HEC' sound, followed by unstressed 'ə' and the spelling 'ATO', then 'MB' and ending with the unstressed 'Z' sound. The correct spelling includes two "c"s and an "a" after the "t", easily confused with a likely double "t". Its rarity combined with a tricky spelling makes hecatombs a challenge for even the most accomplished wordsmiths.

HECATOMBS Meaning and Definition

1. Hecatombs refer to large-scale sacrifices or the killing of a large number of animals, specifically cattle or sheep, in ancient Greece and Rome. This term is derived from the Greek word "hekaton", meaning "hundred," and "bous", which translates to "ox." Hence, hecatombs originally involved the sacrifice of one hundred oxen.

   In the ancient world, hecatombs were usually performed as an offering to gods or deities during religious rituals or festivals, in order to appease or seek their favor. These sacrifices were considered a significant demonstration of devotion and served as a means to gain divine protection, blessings, or forgiveness.

   Hecatombs were highly ceremonial and organized events, involving priests, rituals, and protocols. The animals to be sacrificed were carefully chosen and inspected to ensure their purity and fitness for offering. The sacrifice itself was typically carried out by slitting the throats of the animals and allowing their blood to flow on the altar.

   The scale of hecatombs could vary, with offerings sometimes exceeding a hundred animals. These sacrifices were often seen as a communal act, with individuals or communities coming together to collectively honor their gods.

   Over time, the term "hecatombs" has evolved beyond its original context and can now be used more broadly to refer to any large-scale slaughter or loss of life, particularly with a somber or tragic connotation.

Common Misspellings for HECATOMBS

• heccatomb
• hecatomb
• hacatomb
• hekatomb
• gecatombs
• becatombs
• necatombs
• jecatombs
• uecatombs
• yecatombs
• hwcatombs
• hscatombs
• hdcatombs
• hrcatombs
• h4catombs
• h3catombs
• hexatombs
• hevatombs
• hefatombs
• hedatombs

Etymology of HECATOMBS

The word "hecatombs" comes from the ancient Greek word "hekátombe", which is a combination of two Greek words: "hekatón" meaning "hundred" and "bous" meaning "ox". In ancient Greece, a hecatomb referred to a sacrifice or offering of one hundred cattle to the gods, particularly during religious festivals. Over time, the word "hecatombs" has acquired a metaphorical meaning, referring to a large-scale sacrifice or mass slaughter of animals or people.

Similar spelling words for HECATOMBS

• heston,
• heaston,
• hecatomb.