murderer

UK: ˈmɜːdərə | US: ˈmɜːrdərər

Definition

  1. n. a person who commits murder; a killer.

Structure
murder <killing>er <agent noun suffix>
Etymology

The word "murderer" traces back to Old English morthor, which referred to a secret or unlawful killing. Over time, the spelling evolved to "murder," and the suffix "-er" was added to denote the person performing the act. The term reflects the gravity of the action, historically associated with covert or morally condemned violence.

Examples

  1. The jury convicted the murderer after reviewing the evidence.

  2. The detective spent years tracking down the notorious murderer.

  3. In the novel, the murderer’s identity remains a mystery until the end.

  4. The murderer showed no remorse during the trial.

  5. Society must address the root causes that drive someone to become a murderer.