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noun

lynching

LIHNT-shihng
noun
1
The killing of a person by a mob, without any legal trial, historically often by hanging.
"The museum's exhibit documented the history of lynching in the American South."

How to Use Lynching

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn act of mob violence resulting in someone's death outside of any legal process.

When to use it

A serious historical and legal term tied to a specific, brutal history of racial violence.

Word Forms

lynchings plural

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The museum's exhibit documented the history of _____ in the American South.

Etymology

From "lynch" plus the suffix "-ing".

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial