'mayhem' definitions:
Definition of 'mayhem'
(from WordNet)
noun
The willful and unlawful crippling or mutilation of another person
noun
Violent and needless disturbance [syn: havoc, mayhem]
Definition of 'mayhem'
From: GCIDE
- Maim \Maim\, n. [Written in law language maihem, and mayhem.] [OF. mehaing. See Maim, v.]
- 1. The privation of the use of a limb or member of the body, by which one is rendered less able to defend himself or to annoy his adversary. [1913 Webster]
- 2. The privation of any necessary part; a crippling; mutilation; injury; deprivation of something essential. See Mayhem. [1913 Webster]
- Surely there is more cause to fear lest the want there of be a maim than the use of it a blemish. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]
- A noble author esteems it to be a maim in history that the acts of Parliament should not be recited. --Hayward. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'mayhem'
From: GCIDE
- mayhem \may"hem\, n. [The same as maim. See Maim.]
- 1. (Law) The maiming of a person by depriving him of the use of any of his members which are necessary for defense or protection. See Maim. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Violent disorder, especially such as causes serious harm to persons or damage to property. [PJC]
Synonyms of 'mayhem'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- bankruptcy,
- breakage,
- breakdown,
- chaos,
- collapse,
- commotion,
- confusion,
- crack-up,
- cripple,
- crippling,
- damage,
- destruction,
- detriment,
- devastation,
- dilapidation,
- disablement,
- dismember,
- disorder,
- disrepair,
- encroachment,
- fracas,
- harm,
- havoc,
- hobbling,
- hurt,
- hurting,
- impairment,
- incapacitation,
- infringement,
- injury,
- inroad,
- loss,
- maiming,
- mischief,
- mutilate,
- mutilation,
- ruination,
- ruinousness,
- sabotage,
- scathe,
- sickening,
- spoiling,
- violence,
- weakening