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internecine

[ in-ter-nee-seen, -sahyn, -nes-een, -nes-ahyn ]
/ ˌɪn tərˈni sin, -saɪn, -ˈnɛs in, -ˈnɛs aɪn /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR internecine

adjective

of or relating to conflict or struggle within a group: an internecine feud among proxy holders.
mutually destructive.
characterized by great slaughter; deadly.

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Also in·ter·ne·cive [in-ter-nee-siv, -nes-iv]. /ˌɪn tɛrˈni sɪv, -ˈnɛs ɪv/.

Origin of internecine

1655–65; <Latin internecīnus, internecīvus murderous, equivalent to internec(āre) to kill out, exterminate (inter-inter- + necāre to kill) + -īnus-ine1, -īvus-ive

Words nearby internecine

international temperature scale, International Union for Conservation of Nature, international unit, International Workingmen's Association, interne, internecine, internee, internegative, internet, internet access provider, internet of things
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to internecine

civil, domestic, internal, fratricidal, deadly, exterminatory

Example sentences from the Web for internecine

British Dictionary definitions for internecine

internecine
/ (ˌɪntəˈniːsaɪn) /

adjective

mutually destructive or ruinous; maiming both or all sidesinternecine war
of or relating to slaughter or carnage; bloody
of or involving conflict within a group or organization

Word Origin for internecine

C17: from Latin internecīnus, from internecāre to destroy, from necāre to kill
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012