Main Entry: as·sas·sin

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈsa-s^ən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Medieval Latin assassinus, from Arabic ḥashshāshīn, plural of ḥashshāsh worthless person, literally, hashish user, from hashīsh hashish

Date: circa 1520

1 capitalized : a member of a Shia Muslim sect who at the time of the Crusades was sent out on a suicidal mission to murder prominent enemies
2 : a person who commits murder; especially : one who murders a politically important person either for hire or from fanatical motives