murder
verb
- to unlawfully kill a human with malice aforethought
noun
- unlawful killing of a human with malice aforethought
- murder in swiss law
- gathering of crows
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈmɜːdə(ɹ)/ / /ˈmɝ.dɚ/
name
Etymology: English surname from the verb murder, originally given to someone who had a reputation of being a murderer or was accused of committing murder.
- A surname.
noun
Etymology: From Middle English murder, murdre, mourdre, alteration of earlier murthre (“murder”) (see murther), from Old English morþor (“secret slaying, unlawful killing”) and Old English myrþra (“murder, homicide”), both from Proto-West Germanic *morþr, from Proto-Germanic *murþrą (“death, killing, murder”), from Proto-Indo-European *mr̥tro- (“killing”), from Proto-Indo-European *mer-, *mor-, *mr̥- (“to die”). Akin to Gothic 𐌼𐌰𐌿𐍂𐌸𐍂 (maurþr, “murder”), Old High German mord (“murder”), Old Norse morð (“murder”), Old English myrþrian (“to murder”) and morþ. The -d- in the Middle English form may have been influenced in part by Anglo-Norman murdre, from Old French murdre, from Medieval Latin murdrum (whence the English doublet of murdrum), from Frankish *morþr, *murþr (“murder”), from the same Germanic root, though this may also have been wholly the result of internal development (compare burden, from burthen). (crows): Attested at least since 1475.
- The crime of killing a person unlawfully, especially with predetermination.
“The defendant was charged with murder.”
“One of the most urgent tasks facing me after 1 assumed office was to assure the country that everything possible was being done to uncover the truth surrounding the assassination of President Kennedy. John Kennedy had been murdered, and a troubled, puzzled, and outraged nation wanted to know the facts.”
- The crime of killing a person unlawfully, especially with predetermination.
- The act of killing a person (or sometimes another being) unlawfully, especially with predetermination
“There have been ten unsolved murders this year alone.”
“The case was that of a murder. It had an element of mystery about it, however, which was puzzling the authorities. A turban and loincloth soaked in blood had been found; also a staff.”
- An act of killing that the speaker believes to be immoral.
“Meat is murder.”
“Abortion is murder.”
- Something terrible to endure.
“This headache is murder.”
- A group of crows; the collective noun for crows.
“For his part, Melchior was growing unhappy with the murder of crows. They had been patiently following Arthur for hours, trailing him from town to country.”
“Without the murder of crows roosting in its branches, Nevermore Tree looked as bare as a skeleton.”
- Something remarkable or impressive.
“Right quick another cat spoke up real loud, saying, “That’s murder man, really murder,” and his eyes were signifying too.”
“Altaira Morbius: [swimming in a pool] Come on in. Commander Adams: I didn't bring my bathing suit. Altaira Morbius: What's a bathing suit? Commander Adams: [quickly turning his back] Oh, murder!”
- a murderer
verb
Etymology: From Middle English murder, murdre, mourdre, alteration of earlier murthre (“murder”) (see murther), from Old English morþor (“secret slaying, unlawful killing”) and Old English myrþra (“murder, homicide”), both from Proto-West Germanic *morþr, from Proto-Germanic *murþrą (“death, killing, murder”), from Proto-Indo-European *mr̥tro- (“killing”), from Proto-Indo-European *mer-, *mor-, *mr̥- (“to die”). Akin to Gothic 𐌼𐌰𐌿𐍂𐌸𐍂 (maurþr, “murder”), Old High German mord (“murder”), Old Norse morð (“murder”), Old English myrþrian (“to murder”) and morþ. The -d- in the Middle English form may have been influenced in part by Anglo-Norman murdre, from Old French murdre, from Medieval Latin murdrum (whence the English doublet of murdrum), from Frankish *morþr, *murþr (“murder”), from the same Germanic root, though this may also have been wholly the result of internal development (compare burden, from burthen). (crows): Attested at least since 1475.
- To illegally kill (a person or persons) with intent, especially with predetermination
“The woman found dead in her kitchen was murdered by her husband.”
“In the meane time it chaunced, that Marcus Papyrius ſtroke one of the Galles on the heade with his ſtaffe, because he preſumed to ſtroke his bearde: with whiche iniurie the Gaulle beeing prouoked, ſlue Papyrius (as he ſate) with hys ſworde, and therewith the ſlaughter being begun with one, all the reſidue of thoſe auncient fatherly men as they ſat in theyr Chayres were ſlaine and cruelly murthered.”
- To kill violently.
“My uncle’s dog murdered my cat.”
- To defeat decisively.
“Our team is going to murder them.”
- To kick someone's ass or chew someone out (used to express one’s anger at somebody).
“He's torn my best shirt. When I see him, I'll murder him!”
- To botch or mangle.
“Dr. Caius, the Frenchman in the play, and Evans the Welshman, "Gallia et Guallia," succeed pretty well in their efforts to murder the language.”
- To devour, ravish.
“I could murder a hamburger right now.”
““Is that so? Well, I could murder a cup of tea,” said Auntie Flip.”