Slay (?), v. t. [imp.
Slew (?); p. p. Slain (?); p.
pr. & vb. n. Slaying.] [OE. slan,
sl?n, sleen, slee, AS. sleÁn to
strike, beat, slay; akin to OFries. slā, D. slaan,
OS. & OHG. slahan, G. schlagen, Icel. slā,
Dan. slaae, Sw. sl?, Goth. slahan; perhaps akin
to L. lacerare to tear to pieces, Gr. ????, E.
lacerate. Cf. Slaughter, Sledge a hammer,
Sley.] To put to death with a weapon, or by violence;
hence, to kill; to put an end to; to destroy.
With this sword then will I slay you
both.
Chaucer.
I will slay the last of them with the
sword.
Amos ix. 1.
I'll slay more gazers than the
basilisk.
Shak.
Syn. -- To kill; murder; slaughter; butcher.