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

“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

Now, as Mr. Putin scrambles to put down a rebellion that he warned on Saturday could lead to “anarchy and fratricide,” Mr. Prigozhin looms as the Russian president’s own creation.

From New York Times

The fratricide is likely stoked by the press, which likes a “Dems-in-disarray” story and would love a presidential primary.

From Washington Post

If Russia and Ukraine are brothers, as the Kremlin professes, then this is fratricide.

From BBC

The breakaway Ukrainian Orthodox Church has vehemently denounced the Russian invasion as fratricide.

From New York Times