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. [ 1913 Webster ]
As for Saul, he made havoc of the church. Acts viii. 3. [ 1913 Webster ]
Ye gods, what havoc does ambition make
Among your works! Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t. To devastate; to destroy; to lay waste. [ 1913 Webster ]
To waste and havoc yonder world. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
interj. [ See Havoc, n. ] A cry in war as the signal for indiscriminate slaughter. Toone. [ 1913 Webster ]
Do not cry havoc, where you should but hunt
With modest warrant. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Cry 'havoc, ' and let slip the dogs of war! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]