assassin

as-sas-sin · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A person who murders a prominent person, especially for political or ideological reasons.

  2. 2.

    A person hired to kill someone; a contract killer.

Forms

plural: assassins

Related words

Antonyms: bodyguard, protector
See also: assassinate, assassination, assassins, killer
Synonyms: hitman, killer, murderer

Etymology

From Medieval Latin assassinus, from Arabic hashshashin (حشاشين), meaning "hashish users," referring to a secretive sect during the Crusades. The sect, known as the Nizari Ismailis, was led by Hassan-i Sabbah and allegedly used hashish before carrying out targeted killings.