fratricide

[ fra-tri-sahyd ]

noun

1. the act of killing one's brother or a member of one’s own tribe or group.
2. a person who kills their brother or a member of their own tribe or group.

fratricide

/ ˈfreɪ-; ˈfrætrɪˌsaɪd /

noun

1. the act of killing one's brother
2. a person who kills his brother
3. military the destruction of or interference with a nuclear missile before it can strike its target caused by the earlier explosion of a warhead at a nearby target

Derived Forms

• ˌfratriˈcidal, adjective

Other Words From

• frat·ri·cid·al [fra-tri-, sahyd, -l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fratricide¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; fratricide ( def 1 ) from Middle French, from Late Latin frātricīdium, equivalent to frātricīd(a) frātri- (combining form of frāter ) brother + -cīda -cide + -ium noun suffix; fratricide ( def 2 ) from Middle French, from frātricīda

Word History and Origins

Origin of fratricide¹

C15: from Latin frātricīda ; see frater ¹, -cide

Example Sentences

“Fratricide” – Che’s term – is an act of desperation.

From Salon

The second season of the Apple TV+ comedy “The Afterparty,” a murder-mystery anthology centering on the potentially culpable party guests of a recently deceased host, had so many twists and turns that even the actual killing itself was a red herring: Instead of what seemed to be an act of matricide, it was a botched attempt at fratricide.

From Los Angeles Times

Without mentioning Prigozhin by name, Putin denounced “anarchy and fratricide.”

From Washington Times

Without mentioning Prigozhin by name, Putin denounced “anarchy and fratricide.”

From Seattle Times

“It was precisely this outcome — fratricide — that Russia’s enemies wanted: both the neo-Nazis in Kyiv, and their Western patrons, and all sorts of national traitors,” Mr. Putin said.

From New York Times