Bloodshed
Part of speech: noun
Definition: The shedding or spilling of blood. A slaughter; destruction of life, notably on a large scale. The shedding of one's own blood; specifically, the death of Christ. A bloodshot condition or appearance; an effusion of blood in the eye.
Example sentence: Even a cursory run through American history shows exceptionalism has been used to justify bloodshed, oppression, and profit.
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.