victim

vic·tim

noun \ˈvik-təm\

Definition of VICTIM

1

: a living being sacrificed to a deity or in the performance of a religious rite

2

: one that is acted on and usually adversely affected by a force or agent <the schools are victims of the social system>: as a (1) : one that is injured, destroyed, or sacrificed under any of various conditions <a victim of cancer> <a victim of the auto crash> <a murder victim> (2) : one that is subjected to oppression, hardship, or mistreatment <a frequent victim of political attacks> b : one that is tricked or duped <a con man's victim>

— vic·tim·hood \-ˌhu̇d\ noun

Examples of VICTIM

1. the victims of a hoax
2. He was the victim of an error.

Origin of VICTIM

Latin victima; perhaps akin to Old High German wīh holy

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to VICTIM

Synonyms: fatality, loss, prey, casualty

Related Words: loser, underdog; martyr, sacrifice; collateral damage; murderee

Near Antonyms: gainer, victor, winner; harmer, injurer; assassin, killer, murderer

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with VICTIM

dictum