From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
havoc
n : violent and needless disturbance [syn: mayhem]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Havoc \Hav"oc\, v. t.
To devastate; to destroy; to lay waste.
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To waste and havoc yonder world. --Milton.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Havoc \Hav"oc\, interj. [See Havoc, n.]
A cry in war as the signal for indiscriminate slaughter.
--Toone.
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Do not cry havoc, where you should but hunt
With modest warrant. --Shak.
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Cry 'havoc,' and let slip the dogs of war! --Shak.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Havoc \Hav"oc\ (h[a^]v"[o^]k), n. [W. hafog devastation, havoc;
or, if this be itself fr. E. havoc, cf. OE. havot, or AS.
hafoc hawk, which is a cruel or rapacious bird, or F. hai,
voux! a cry to hounds.]
Wide and general destruction; devastation; waste.
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As for Saul, he made havoc of the church. --Acts viii.
3.
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Ye gods, what havoc does ambition make
Among your works! --Addison.
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