murderous

adj

Etymology: From murder + -ous (suffix forming adjectives from nouns denoting possession or presence of a quality).

1. Of, characterized by, or pertaining to murder or murderers.

   “Aſſaſſinat: m. A murther, or murtherous act committed for gaine, or in hope of a revvard; alſo, a ſuddaine aſſault, made of ſet purpoſe, and vvith a murtherous intent, although th' aſſaulted be not killed.”

   “Every time I heard the bell strike, that denotes the time on board a ship, I full of terror counted the hours until four o'clock; feeling sure that when that hour came, my enemies would begin their murderous attack.”

2. Of a person: intending or likely to commit murder; bloodthirsty, homicidal.

   “murderous behaviour”

   “She gave me a murderous look.”

3. Of an object: used to commit murder; capable of causing death; deadly, fatal.

   “The rapid ſquadrons ſwift as thought engage, / And ſeek the hoſtile troops who ſhun their rage, / 'Midſt the thick clouds which ſmoak and duſt afford / With dreadful luſtre gleams the murderous ſword; […]”

   “In neceſſary ſelf-defence men have a right to kill their aſſailants. But duelling is unlawful and murderous, a remain of the ancient Gothic barbarity.”

4. Very difficult.

   “a murderous exam”

   “conditions were murderous”