VERB (2)

1. murder; especially of socially prominent persons;
- Example: "Anwar Sadat was assassinated because many people did not like his peace politics with Israel"

2. destroy or damage seriously, as of someone's reputation;
- Example: "He assassinated his enemy's character"

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Assassinate \As*sas"sin*ate\, n. [F. assassinat.]
   1. An assassination, murder, or murderous assault. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            If I had made an assassinate upon your father. --B.
                                                  Jonson.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. An assassin. [Obs.] --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Assassinate \As*sas"sin*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
   Assassinated; p. pr. & vb. n. Assassinating.] [LL.
   assassinatus, p. p. of assassinare.]
   1. To kill by surprise or secret assault; to murder by
      treacherous violence.
      [1913 Webster]

            Help, neighbors, my house is broken open by force,
            and I am ravished, and like to be assassinated.
                                                  --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To assail with murderous intent; hence, by extended
      meaning, to maltreat exceedingly. [Archaic]
      [1913 Webster]

            Your rhymes assassinate our fame.     --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

            Such usage as your honorable lords
            Afford me, assassinated and betrayed. --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: To kill; murder; slay. See Kill.
        [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

assassinate
    v 1: murder; especially of socially prominent persons; "Anwar
         Sadat was assassinated because many people did not like his
         peace politics with Israel"
    2: destroy or damage seriously, as of someone's reputation; "He
       assassinated his enemy's character"