murderer

Everyday

A person who kills another person on purpose, against the law. tree →

In the lessons

Used in news, law, history and crime stories and mysteries ("Who is the murderer?"). In law a murderer is a person convicted of murder, which is a very serious crime punished with long prison sentences. Phrases: "convicted murderer", "mass murderer".

Examples

• The detective finally worked out who the murderer was. tree →
• The murderer was sent to prison for life. tree →
• In the mystery book, the murderer was the gardener. tree →
• Police are still searching for the murderer. tree →
• Macbeth becomes a murderer because he wants to be king. tree →
• Calling someone a murderer without proof is very serious. tree →
• Killing in an accident does not make you a murderer. tree →
• Who is there to tell that I am the murderer? tree →

Note

Countable. Verb and noun "murder"; "murderous" (adjective). An old word for a woman murderer is "murderess". Note: killing by accident is not murder; in law it may be "manslaughter". A person is not called a murderer by the court until found guilty.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah a murderer who kills on purpose must be put to death, and no payment can save him.

Interpretation. Tradition says a life cannot be paid for with money, and it separates the murderer from one who kills by accident and may flee to a city of refuge.

Examples

• The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death; when he meeteth him, he shall put him to death. (Torah NUM.35.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• Moreover ye shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer, that is guilty of death; but he shall surely be put to death. (Torah NUM.35.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• But if he smote him with an instrument of iron, so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. (Torah NUM.35.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• She that was full of justice, righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers. (Prophets ISA.1.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said: 'Is it peace, thou Zimri, thy master's murderer?' (Prophets 2KI.9.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• The murderer riseth with the light, to kill the poor and needy; and in the night he is as a thief. (Writings JOB.24.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable. Verb and noun "murder"; "murderous" (adjective). An old word for a woman murderer is "murderess". Note: killing by accident is not murder; in law it may be "manslaughter". A person is not called a murderer by the court until found guilty.