kill
UK: kɪl | US: kɪl
vt. to cause the death of a living organism
vt. to end or destroy something (e.g., a plan, hope)
vt. (informal) to overwhelm or impress greatly
n. an act of killing
n. (hunting) an animal that has been killed
The word "kill" originates from Old English cwellan, meaning "to strike, cut down, or murder." It shares roots with Germanic languages (e.g., Old High German quellen "to torture") and is linked to the Proto-Indo-European base gwel- "to strike." Over time, its meaning narrowed to specifically denote causing death, while retaining metaphorical extensions like "ending" or "overwhelming."
The hunter refused to kill the wounded deer.
The committee voted to kill the proposed project.
Her performance at the concert killed the audience.
The lion made a swift kill during the hunt.
Harsh weather conditions can kill delicate plants.