Mayhems

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A chaotic and violent situation where disorder prevails
2. an instance of widespread destruction, often involving injury or harm
3. a state of intense confusion accompanied by reckless behavior and turmoil

Etymology: The plural "mayhems" is the form of "mayhem" that refers to separate instances of widespread destruction or injury. The noun traces back to Late Middle English "mayehem" and "maihem," a late form of "maym" or "maim," which meant disfigurement, injury, or mutilation, and which is also the source of modern "maim." Those English forms came from Anglo-Norman "mahaim" and "mahainne" meaning mutilation, which in turn came from Old French "mehaing" and "meshaing," meaning bodily harm or the loss of a limb. The Old French origin is uncertain. It has been proposed that it comes from a Proto-Germanic verb meaning "to damage, hurt, change, or exchange," which would make "mayhem" a doublet of "mad."

Synonyms: chaos, havoc, disorder, turmoil, pandemonium

Antonyms: order, peace, calm, tranquility