mayhem

[mey-hem, mey-uhm]

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.

mayhem

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of mayhem¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of mayhem¹

C15: from Anglo-French mahem injury, from Germanic; related to Icelandic meitha to hurt. See _maim

Example Sentences

Nevertheless, opponents of bail reform never fail to raise the specter of widespread mayhem if cash bail is eliminated.

From Los Angeles Times

Prodigy, of course, wants to retrieve whatever findings its competitor has acquired and all manner of mystery and mayhem ensues.

From Los Angeles Times

Sample review: "An ungainly mess, submerged in mayhem, occasionally surfacing for cliches."

From BBC

It would have been entirely in keeping with the mayhem that had already played out on Monday morning.

From BBC

There was so much euphoria and mayhem after sealing the series.

From BBC

Related Words

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