murther

[ mur-ther ]

noun

, Obsolete.

1. murder.

murther

/ ˈmɜːðə /

noun

1. an archaic word for murder

Derived Forms

• ˈmurtherer, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of murther¹

before 900; Middle English morther, Old English morthor; cognate with Gothic maurthr. See mortal

Example Sentences

It may be hard to believe that he doesn’t know what the word “murther” means in the text — at one point he asks the veteran actor Richard Easton to explain it for him — but his awe at being allowed to read from a First Folio at the Morgan Library & Museum seems genuine.

From New York Times

My lord has told me a secret which Higford, his father's servant, let out to him; and 'tis something so weighty and of so great import, that since he left me my thoughts have been truants from my books, and Monsieur Sebastian, who comes to practice us on the lute, stopped his ears, and cried out that the Signora Contessa had no mercy on him, so to murther his compositions.

From Project Gutenberg

R. R doth rebellion represent, V. By V nought else but villainy is meant, M. M murther signifies all men doe knowe, P. P perjuries in fashion grow.

From Project Gutenberg

Which Charles, with the help of four of his own servants in his own house, committed a shameful murther upon one Hargill, and his son, with whom he had been long at variance, and buried their Carcasses 50 foot deep in the earth, thinking thereby to prevent the discovery; but it coming afterwards to light, he had sentence of death passed upon him, which he suffer'd at Salisbury, the 6th of March, Anno 1557, 4 Phil.

From Project Gutenberg

And immediately after the said Andrew’s departure from her, he took to his bed for the space of eight days: the one half of the day roasting in his whole body as in a furnace, and the other half with a vehement sweat melting away; so that, by her cruel murther and witchcraft, the said Andrew Ardes died within eight days.

From Project Gutenberg