bloodletting

/ˈblʌdˌlɛtɪŋ/
noun
  1. The historical medical practice of removing blood from a person to treat illness or imbalance.
    • Many historians believe bloodletting often did more harm than good.
    • Bloodletting was a common treatment for many diseases in the Middle Ages.
    • The doctor used leeches for bloodletting to balance the patient's humors.
  2. Violent conflict or killing, especially in a battle or fight.
    • The movie depicted the bloodletting of the ancient gladiator fights.
    • The civil war led to years of bloodletting across the country.
    • The battle resulted in terrible bloodletting on both sides.
  3. A severe reduction in staff or resources, often in a business or organization.
    • The budget cuts led to a bloodletting of several departments.
    • The company's bloodletting of employees caused low morale.
    • After the financial crisis, the firm underwent a painful bloodletting.
Antonyms
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