Meaning of assassin in English

1. Pronunciation

   /əˈsæsn/

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1. Noun

   assassin

   Etymology

   mid 16th century: from French, or from medieval Latin assassinus, from Arabic ḥašīšī‘hashish-eater’

   Definitions

   1. a murderer (especially one who kills a prominent political figure) who kills by a treacherous surprise attack and often is hired to do the deed

   Examples

   • « his assassins were hunted down like animals »
   • « assassinators of kings and emperors »
2. 2. a member of a secret order of Muslims (founded in the 12th century) who terroriszed and killed Christian Crusaders