[a. Ἀκελδαμά, the Gr. representation of an Aramaic phrase, Chal., Syr. ōkēl damō the field of blood.] The name given to the field in the vicinity of Jerusalem, purchased with the blood-money received and relinquished by Judas Iscariot. Hence fig. A field of bloodshed, a scene of slaughter or butchery.

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1382.  Wyclif, Acts i. 19. Thilke feeld was clepid Achildemak [1388 Acheldemak] in the langage of hem, that is the feeld of blood. Ibid. (1611). That field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

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a. 1658.  Cleveland, Content (1687), 38.

        No, no, I trace thee not in this dark way
Of Death, this Scarlet-streak’d Aceldama.

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1658.  R. Franck, North. Mem. (1821), 20. Are not the nations about us like an acaldemy of blood, that darkens the air?

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1742.  Young, Night Th., VI. 103. Love Divine, Which lifts us … From earth’s aceldama, this field of blood.

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1756.  Burke, Vind. Nat. Soc., Wks. I. 22. What an Aceldama, what a field of blood Sicily has been in ancient times.

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1859.  De Quincey, The Cæsars, Wks. X. 175. All brought their tributes of beauty or deformity to these vast aceldamas of Rome.

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