fratricide

[ fra-tri-sahyd ]

noun

1. the act of killing one's brother or a member of one’s own tribe or group.
2. a person who kills their brother or a member of their own tribe or group.

fratricide

/ ˈfreɪ-; ˈfrætrɪˌsaɪd /

noun

1. the act of killing one's brother
2. a person who kills his brother
3. military the destruction of or interference with a nuclear missile before it can strike its target caused by the earlier explosion of a warhead at a nearby target

Derived Forms

• ˌfratriˈcidal, adjective

Other Words From

• frat·ri·cid·al [fra-tri-, sahyd, -l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fratricide¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; fratricide ( def 1 ) from Middle French, from Late Latin frātricīdium, equivalent to frātricīd(a) frātri- (combining form of frāter ) brother + -cīda -cide + -ium noun suffix; fratricide ( def 2 ) from Middle French, from frātricīda

Word History and Origins

Origin of fratricide¹

C15: from Latin frātricīda ; see frater ¹, -cide

Example Sentences

Hillary Rodham Clinton must be reveling in the latest round of Republican fratricide.

From The Daily Beast

When Cain was first shut up in the prison of the Law he felt no pang at the fratricide he had committed.

From Project Gutenberg

A minute ago you were a fratricide, and now, thanks to the absolution that I gave you, you are white as snow.

From Project Gutenberg

Aye—even a fratricide—because forsooth of the crime of the grace that her brother possessed?

From Project Gutenberg

On his accession he had not found it necessary to clear his path and prevent further trouble by the usual remedy of fratricide.

From Project Gutenberg

Not that it signifies in the least in Nepaul whether a man is a fratricide or prefers making away with more distant relatives.

From Project Gutenberg