English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

noun

fratricide

FRAT-rih-syed

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Fratricide (noun) means the killing of one's own brother or sister. Example: “The play centres on an act of fratricide within the royal family.”

noun

1

The killing of one's own brother or sister.

"The play centres on an act of fratricide within the royal family."

"Ancient myths are full of stories of fratricide."

"Fratricide was treated as one of the gravest crimes in many old legal codes."

2

military In a military context, the killing of a fellow soldier on one's own side, whether intended or accidental.

"The report investigated a case of fratricide during the night exercise."

"Better communication equipment was introduced to cut down on fratricide."

"Fratricide remains a serious risk in any fast-moving battle."

3

A person who kills their own brother or sister.

"The story's narrator turns out to be a fratricide."

"He was branded a fratricide after his brother's death."

"Few crimes carried as much shame as being known as a fratricide."

How to use fratricide

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishIt means killing your own brother or sister, or, in the army, killing one of your own side.

When to use it

It is a formal, rather literary or legal word, not something said in everyday conversation.

Memory tip

Spot the family of '-cide' words, patricide, sororicide, regicide, and match the first part to who is being killed.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

patricide sororicide regicide →

Common pairings

an act of fratricide commit fratricide a case of fratricide military fratricide

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “fratricide” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The play centres on an act of _____ within the royal family.

Etymology

Fratricide entered English through Middle French fratricide. The sense of the killing itself traces to the Latin frātricīdium, while the sense of the person who commits it traces to the related Latin frātricīda.

Origin: Latin, via Middle French

Synonyms

brother-slayer

Rhymes for fratricide

ide tide hide ride wide side bide aide elide amide abide slide

See all rhymes for fratricide →

Frequently asked questions

What does fratricide mean?

Fratricide means the killing of one's own brother or sister, and by extension it can also mean the person who does the killing.

Is fratricide only used about family killings?

No, in a military context fratricide also refers to soldiers accidentally or deliberately killing others on their own side.

What is a person who commits fratricide called?

That person can also be called a fratricide, or a brother-slayer.

What is the meaning of fratricide?

"fratricide" (noun) means the killing of one's own brother or sister.