assassins

as-sas-sins · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Plural of "assassin"; people who murder prominent figures, especially for political reasons.

  2. 2.

    (Historical) Members of the Nizari Ismaili sect during the Crusades, known for carrying out targeted killings.

Related words

Antonyms: bodyguards, protectors
See also: assassin, assassinate, assassination
Synonyms: hitmen, killers, murderers

Etymology

From Medieval Latin assassinus, from Arabic hashshashin (حشاشين), literally "hashish users," referring to the Nizari Ismaili sect.