regicide

[ rej-uh-sahyd ]

noun

1. the killing of a king.
2. a person who kills a king or is responsible for his death, especially one of the judges who condemned Charles I of England to death.

regicide

/ ˈrɛdʒɪˌsaɪd /

noun

1. the killing of a king
2. a person who kills a king

Derived Forms

• ˌregiˈcidal, adjective

Other Words From

• regi·cidal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of regicide¹

1540–50; < Latin rēg-, stem of rēx king + -i- + -cide

Word History and Origins

Origin of regicide¹

C16: from Latin rēx king + -cide

Example Sentences

When Macbeth’s qualms about committing regicide get the better of him, she reprimands him mercifully.

From Los Angeles Times

"Our appetite for regicide is insatiable," one former minister said.

From BBC

The new French toast sticks are part of Wendy’s attempt at regicide.

From Washington Post

Unsurprisingly, it was the redesigned M2 MacBook Air to commit this regicide.

From The Verge

Since a brief 17th-century experiment with regicide and republicanism ended with the restoration of the royal family, the British monarchy has survived periods of unpopularity.

From New York Times