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assassiner

to assassinate, to murder

verb ah-sah-see-NEH Less Common
People & Society Crime

Origin: Arabic hashshashin (hashish users; a medieval sect of killers)

Usage Note

Assassiner implies a deliberate, often politically motivated killing, distinguishing it from tuer (to kill) or meurtrir (to bruise/harm). The noun assassinat means 'murder' and assassin means 'murderer' or 'assassin'. In casual speech, it can be used hyperbolically: tu m'assassines avec ta musique! ('you're killing me with your music!').

Examples

"Le général a été assassiné en plein jour."

Natural Translation

The general was assassinated in broad daylight.

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