victim
[ vik-tim ]
/ ˈvɪk tɪm /
noun
a person who suffers from a destructive or injurious action or agency: a victim of an automobile accident.
a person who is deceived or cheated, as by his or her own emotions or ignorance, by the dishonesty of others, or by some impersonal agency: a victim of misplaced confidence; the victim of a swindler; a victim of an optical illusion.
a person or animal sacrificed or regarded as sacrificed: war victims.
a living creature sacrificed in religious rites.
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Origin of victim
First recorded in 1490–1500, victim is from the Latin word victima sacrificial animal
OTHER WORDS FROM victim
vic·tim·hood, nounvic·tim·less, adjectivenon·vic·tim, nounWords nearby victim
vicomtesse, vicontiel, Vicq d'Azyr's bundle, Vict., Victa, victim, victimize, victimless crime, victimology, Victoire, victor
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for victim
British Dictionary definitions for victim
victim
/ (ˈvɪktɪm) /
noun
a person or thing that suffers harm, death, etc, from another or from some adverse act, circumstance, etcvictims of tyranny
a person who is tricked or swindled; dupe
a living person or animal sacrificed in a religious rite
Word Origin for victim
C15: from Latin victima
usage for victim
Using the word victim or victims in relation to chronic illness or disability is often considered demeaning and disempowering. Alternative phrases such as who experiences, who has been diagnosed with, or simply with and then the name of the disability or illness, can be used instead
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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