uxoricide

American  

[uhk-sawr-uh-sahyd, -sohr-, uhg-zawr-, -zohr-] / ʌkˈsɔr əˌsaɪd, -ˈsoʊr-, ʌgˈzɔr-, -ˈzoʊr- /

noun

1. the act of murdering one's wife.

2. a man who murders his wife.

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uxoricide British  

/ ʌkˈsɔːrɪˌsaɪd /

noun

1. the act of killing one's wife

2. a man who kills his wife

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Other Word Forms

• uxoricidal adjective

Etymology

Origin of uxoricide

1855–60; < Latin ūxor wife + -i- + -cide

Explanation

Uxoricide is the murder of a wife by her spouse. The word also refers to the spouse who commits that crime. Through history, there have been many men either guilty or suspected of uxoricide, including England's King Henry VIII, who had two of his wives executed, and the Roman Emperor Nero, who reportedly also killed two wives. You can use this word for both the act of murder or the murderer himself. It comes from the Latin roots uxor, "wife," and cida, "cutter, killer, or slayer."

Example Sentences

Hobbyist Vincent is now searching for a known recording of the voice of Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen, famed uxoricide.

From Time Magazine Archive

It isn't uxoricide or sheep-stealing—not to know Melville—but it's the deadly sin of ingratitude.

From She Buildeth Her House by Comfort, William Wistar