Word: murder Part of Speech: 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. Pronunciation: /ˈmɜːdə(ɹ)/, /ˈmɝ.dɚ/ 1. The crime of killing a person unlawfully, especially with predetermination. Labels: uncountable Example: The defendant was charged with murder. Example: Whether modern, industrial man is less or more warlike than his hunter-gatherer ancestors is impossible to determine.[…]One thing that is true, though, is that murder rates have fallen over the centuries, as policing has spread and the routine carrying of weapons has diminished. Modern society may not have done anything about war. But peace is a lot more peaceful. 2. Short for felony murder, the act of committing or abetting a crime that results in the killing of a person, regardless of intent, even if the perpetrator did not directly kill the victim. Labels: abbreviation, alt-of, uncountable Example: Both the arsonist and her partner were charged with murder, even though they had intended for it to be a victimless crime. 3. An act of killing a person unlawfully, especially with predetermination. Labels: countable Example: There have been ten unsolved murders this year alone. Example: 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. 4. The act of killing any being in an immoral manner; (countable) an instance of this. Labels: figuratively, uncountable Example: It may be guessed, indeed, that this was the original form of the story, the fairy being the addition of those who considered Jack's thefts from (and murder of) the giant to be scarcely justified without her. Example: Dr. Herrera also knew Hemingway had held Batista's army personally responsible for the brutal murders of his dogs, Blackie (Black Dog) and Machakos. 5. Something terrible to endure. Labels: uncountable Example: This headache is murder. 6. A group of crows; the collective noun for crows. Labels: collective, countable Example: 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. Example: Without the murder of crows roosting in its branches, Nevermore Tree looked as bare as a skeleton. 7. Something remarkable or impressive. Labels: countable, dated, slang, uncountable Example: Right quick another cat spoke up real loud, saying, “That’s murder man, really murder,” and his eyes were signifying too. Example: 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! 8. Synonym of murderer, a person who has unlawfully killed another. Labels: countable, nonstandard, uncountable