genocide

Definition

The systematic and deliberate destruction of a group of people; typically by killing substantial numbers of them, on the basis of their ethnicity, religion, or nationality.

Etymology

Coined by lawyer of Polish-Jewish descent Raphael Lemkin in 1943 or 1944 in reference to the Armenian Genocide (then known by other names; see: Terminology of the Armenian genocide), massacres of Assyrians (such as the Simele massacre and Seyfo) and the Jewish Holocaust. From the stem of Ancient Greek γένος (génos, “race, kind”) (cognate with Latin gēns (“tribe, clan”), whence genus), corresponding to geno- + -cide (“killing, killer”). Piecewise doublet of gendercide. Compare genticide.

Example Sentences

• "A genocide will always be followed by the denial that it ever happened."
• "For the German occupying authorities war thus appears to offer the most appropriate occasion for carrying out their policy of genocide."
• "Shaddam IV: I want fifty legion of Sardaukar on Arrakis at once! Subordinate: Fifty legions? That's our entire reserves as well. Shaddam IV: This is genocide: the deliberate and systematic destruction of all life on Arrakis!"

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