honor killing

American  

[on-er kil-ing] / ˈɒn ər ˌkɪl ɪŋ /

noun

1. the killing of a relative, especially a female relative, as retribution for the perceived dishonoring of the family, as dictated or sanctioned by some cultures and religions.

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Etymology

Origin of honor killing

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

The heavy stuff is especially concentrated in documentary shorts made for HBO that deal with the Ebola virus, a Pakistani honor killing and the Holocaust.

From New York Times • Jan. 28, 2016

There is no tradition of honor killing in the United States — we're far too civilized for that — but if a victim of rape goes public, she's seen as seeking publicity, instead of retribution.

From Time • Jul. 27, 2011

But he also needed East not to shift to clubs, when West would surely cover an honor with an honor, killing the squeeze.

From New York Times • Apr. 30, 2010

Once an unspoken topic, honor killing in recent years has begun to be spotlighted in the media, thanks in part to Rana Husseini, a trailblazing reporter for the English-language Jordan Times.

From Time Magazine Archive

The president of the National Organization for Women's New York chapter has condemned her death as an honor killing � a characterization local victim advocacy groups oppose.

From Time Magazine Archive