tyrannicide

noun

ty·​ran·​ni·​cide tə-ˈra-nə-ˌsīd How to pronounce tyrannicide (audio)
tī-
1
: the act of killing a tyrant
2
: the killer of a tyrant

Word History

Etymology

in sense 1, from French, from Latin tyrannicidium, from tyrannus + -i- + -cidium -cide (killing); in sense 2, from French, from Latin tyrannicida, from tyrannus + -i- + -cida -cide (killer)

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tyrannicide was in 1650

Dictionary Entries Near tyrannicide

Cite this Entry

“Tyrannicide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tyrannicide. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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