Etymology

The most plausible explanation is that “murder” originally signified death, and is cognate with and .

According to one source, the word “murder” is:

Noun

1. An act of deliberate killing of another human being.

   There have been ten unsolved murders this year alone.

2. The crime of deliberate killing.

   The defendant was charged with murder.

3. (When used as a predicative noun): Something terrible to endure.

   This headache is murder.

4. The collective noun for crows
   • 1. • 2004, Incubus, A Crow Left of the Murder...,

          Out of line! Indivisable! A crow left of the murder!

     
     

     Verb

     
     
     
     1. To deliberately kill (a person or persons).
     2. To defeat decisively.

        Our team is going to murder them.

     3. To botch or mangle
        • 1. To kick someone's ass or chew someone out (used to express one’s anger at somebody).

             He's torn my best shirt. When I see him, I'll murder him!

          2. to devour, ravish.

             I could murder a hamburger right now.

          
          

          Synonyms

          assassinate, exterminate, kill, massacre, slaughter, homicide thrash, trounce, wipe the floor with kill