Loss of blood through injury; violence that results in death or injury.
Compound of 'blood' (Old English 'blod') and 'shed' (to cause to flow or pour). The word emerged in medieval English to describe the consequences of violence and warfare.
Interestingly, the word 'bloodshed' often appears in peaceful contexts—'We achieved peace without bloodshed'—making it a striking example of how English uses the presence or absence of violence as a measure of diplomatic success or failure!
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