Bloodletting
Part of speech: noun
Definition: The archaic practice of treating illness by removing some blood, believed to be tainted, from the stricken person. By extension, the diminishment of any resource with the hope that this will lead to a positive effect. A circumstance such as a battle where a large amount of blood is likely to be spilled through violence.
Bloodbath
Part of speech: noun
Definition: Indiscriminate killing or slaughter.