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Fratricide: meaning, definitions and examples

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fratricide

 

[ ˈfrætrɪsaɪd ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

murder of a brother

Fratricide refers to the act of killing one's brother or sister. In a broader sense, it can also denote conflict between brothers or within a social group that leads to violent outcomes. This term is often used in historical and military contexts, where soldiers might inadvertently kill their fellow comrades. The psychological and emotional implications of fratricide are significant, often leading to deep trauma and guilt for the surviving individuals.

Synonyms

brother-killing, intra-familial murder, sibling murder

Examples of usage

  • The war was marked by instances of fratricide among soldiers.
  • The writer explored themes of fratricide in his novel.
  • Fratricide can lead to devastating consequences within families.
  • The detective discovered the fratricide hidden beneath the layers of betrayal.

Translations

Translations of the word "fratricide" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fratricídio

🇮🇳 भाई-भाई की हत्या

🇩🇪 Brudermord

🇮🇩 fratricide

🇺🇦 фратрицид

🇵🇱 fratricyd

🇯🇵 兄弟殺し

🇫🇷 fratricide

🇪🇸 fratricidio

🇹🇷 fratrikid

🇰🇷 형제 살해

🇸🇦 قتل الأخ

🇨🇿 bratrská vražda

🇸🇰 fratricída

🇨🇳 兄弟杀

🇸🇮 bratovščina

🇮🇸 bróðurmorð

🇰🇿 бауыр өлтіру

🇬🇪 ძმის მკვლელობა

🇦🇿 qardaş qətli

🇲🇽 fratricidio

Word origin

The term 'fratricide' originates from the Latin word 'fratricidium', which combines 'frater' meaning 'brother' and 'caedere' meaning 'to kill'. The word captures the gravitas of killing one’s own kin, a notion that transcends mere physical violence and delves into the complexities of familial betrayal. Historical texts often reference fratricide in the context of dynastic struggles, where brothers competed for power, leading to tragic outcomes. Its usage has expanded beyond familial contexts into psychological and military discourses, examining the dynamics of conflict and loyalty. Fratricide remains a powerful reminder of the potential for violence that exists even among the closest of relationships.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,765 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.