fratricide

[ fra-tri-sahyd, frey- ]

/ ˈfræ trɪˌsaɪd, ˈfreɪ- /

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See synonyms for: fratricidal on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person who kills his or her brother.

the act of killing one's brother.

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Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

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What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

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Origin of fratricide

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

OTHER WORDS FROM fratricide

frat·ri·cid·al, adjective

Words nearby fratricide

fraternal twins, fraternity, fraternity house, fraternization, fraternize, fratricide, fratry, Frau, fraud, Fraud Squad, fraudster

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use fratricide in a sentence

Hillary Rodham Clinton must be reveling in the latest round of Republican fratricide.
How to Beat Hillary: End the Republican Fratricide|Lloyd Green|August 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
When Cain was first shut up in the prison of the Law he felt no pang at the fratricide he had committed.
Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians|Martin Luther
A minute ago you were a fratricide, and now, thanks to the absolution that I gave you, you are white as snow.
The Poniard's Hilt|Eugne Sue
Aye—even a fratricide—because forsooth of the crime of the grace that her brother possessed?
The Royal Pawn of Venice|Mrs. Lawrence Turnbull

On his accession he had not found it necessary to clear his path and prevent further trouble by the usual remedy of fratricide.
The Walls of Constantinople|Bernard Granville Baker
Not that it signifies in the least in Nepaul whether a man is a fratricide or prefers making away with more distant relatives.
A Journey to Katmandu|Laurence Oliphant

British Dictionary definitions for fratricide

fratricide

/ (ˈfrætrɪˌsaɪd, ˈfreɪ-) /

noun

the act of killing one's brother

a person who kills his brother

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 of fratricide

fratricidal, adjective

Word Origin for fratricide

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012