assassinate
VerbWordNet 3.0
Verb (2)
- murder; especially of socially prominent persons“Anwar Sadat was assassinated because many people did not like his peace politics with Israel”
- destroy or damage seriously, as of someone's reputation“He assassinated his enemy's character”
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
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]
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]