homicide
Homicide (noun) means the killing of one person by another, whether it was planned or accidental. Example: “The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide.”
How to use homicide
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe general legal term for one person killing another — it covers everything from murder to accidental killing.
Homicide is a neutral, factual term; it doesn't by itself mean the killing was illegal — murder and manslaughter are specific types of homicide.
Word forms
homicides plural
Fill the gap
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The medical examiner ruled the death a _____.
Etymology
From Old French homicide, ultimately from Latin homicida ("man-killer") and homicidium ("manslaughter").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for homicide
See all rhymes for homicide →Frequently asked questions
What does “homicide” mean?
The word “homicide” means the killing of one person by another, whether it was planned or accidental. In plain terms, the general legal term for one person killing another — it covers everything from murder to accidental killing.
How do you pronounce “homicide”?
“Homicide” is pronounced HOM-ih-syd (/ˈhɑ.məˌsaɪ̯d/ in IPA).
How do you use “homicide” in a sentence?
Here is “homicide” used in a sentence: “The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide.”
What is another word for “homicide”?
Words with a similar meaning to “homicide” include assassination, killing, first-degree murder, manslaughter, murder and second-degree murder.
What part of speech is “homicide”?
“Homicide” is a noun.
Where does the word “homicide” come from?
The word “homicide” comes from Latin. From Old French homicide, ultimately from Latin homicida ("man-killer") and homicidium ("manslaughter").
Is “homicide” a common word?
“Homicide” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “homicide” have?
“Homicide” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the killing of one person by another, whether it was planned or accidental.
What is the difference between homicide and murder?
Homicide is a broad, neutral term for the killing of one person by another, whether it was planned or accidental. Murder is a specific type of homicide that is unlawful and typically involves intent, so not all homicides are murder.
What is the difference between homicide and manslaughter?
Manslaughter is a category of homicide, but one that generally lacks the deliberate intent to kill that defines murder. Homicide simply describes the act of one person killing another, without specifying whether it was lawful, accidental, or intentional.
Is homicide always a crime?
No. Homicide is a general term covering any killing of one person by another, and some homicides, such as those committed in self-defense, are legally justified rather than criminal.
What does a police department's homicide division do?
The homicide division is the branch of a police department that investigates killings, gathering evidence and building cases to determine how and why a death occurred and who may be responsible.
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