Pogrom (from Russian: погром; from громить, Russian pronunciation: [grɐˈmʲitʲ] "to wreak havoc, to emolish violently") is a form of riot directed against a particular group, whether ethnic, religious or other, and characterized by destruction of their homes, businesses and religious centres. Historically, the term as used in English has very often been used to denote extensive violence against Jews — either spontaneous or premeditated — but it has also been applied to similar incidents against other, mostly minority, groups. Pogroms are usually accompanied by physical violence against the targeted people and even murder or massacre.