assassin
Assassin (noun) means a person who kills someone deliberately, especially a public or political figure, often for money or political reasons. Example: “The assassin was hired to kill the senator.”
How to Use Assassin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who kills a person on purpose, especially a well-known or powerful target.
An assassin specifically targets someone important or does the killing for hire or political motive; an assailant is simply anyone who attacks a person.
Word Forms
assassined past tense, assassins plural, assassins singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ was hired to kill the senator.
Etymology
Traced to Arabic terms linked to a medieval sect and, in popular legend, to hashish users — the word passed into English through French and Italian.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “assassin” mean?
The word “assassin” means a person who kills someone deliberately, especially a public or political figure, often for money or political reasons. In plain terms, someone who kills a person on purpose, especially a well-known or powerful target.
How do you pronounce “assassin”?
“Assassin” is pronounced uh-SA-sihn (/əˈsæsɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “assassin” in a sentence?
Here is “assassin” used in a sentence: “The assassin was hired to kill the senator.”
What part of speech is “assassin”?
“Assassin” is a noun.
Where does the word “assassin” come from?
The word “assassin” comes from French. Traced to Arabic terms linked to a medieval sect and, in popular legend, to hashish users — the word passed into English through French and Italian.
Is “assassin” a common word?
“Assassin” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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