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Manslaughter Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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manslaughter

[ˈmanˌslôtər ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

criminal law

The crime of killing a human being without malice aforethought, or otherwise in circumstances not amounting to murder.

Synonyms

culpable homicide, unpremeditated killing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
manslaughter

Primarily used in legal contexts to describe the unlawful killing of a person without malice aforethought or premeditation. It is less severe than murder.

  • The defendant was charged with manslaughter instead of murder.
  • The jury found him guilty of manslaughter due to his reckless actions.
unpremeditated killing

Used informally to describe a killing that occurs spontaneously without any prior planning or intention. This phrase is often used to discuss the nature of the act.

  • His actions led to an unpremeditated killing during the fight.
  • The court recognized it as an unpremeditated killing driven by sudden rage.
culpable homicide

Mostly used in legal contexts, especially in British and Indian law. It denotes an unlawful killing where the accused can be blamed but didn't intend for the death to occur.

  • The accused was convicted of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
  • Culpable homicide carries lesser penalties compared to murder.

Examples of usage

  • His charge was reduced from murder to manslaughter due to lack of evidence for premeditation.
  • She was convicted of manslaughter after hitting a pedestrian while driving under the influence.
Context #2 | Noun

general

The act of killing someone without intending to do so.

Synonyms

accidental killing, unintentional homicide.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
manslaughter

This term is often used in legal contexts to describe the unlawful killing of a person without premeditation. It can be categorized into voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, depending on the specific circumstances.

  • He was charged with manslaughter after the bar fight turned fatal.
  • The jury found her guilty of involuntary manslaughter due to reckless driving.
accidental killing

This phrase is commonly used in everyday language to refer to a killing that happens by accident, without any intent to harm. It can be used in both legal and casual discussions.

  • The hunter was devastated by the accidental killing of his friend.
  • During the construction work, an accidental killing occurred when a beam fell from the scaffolding.
unintentional homicide

This is a formal term often used in legal documents and discussions to describe a killing that occurs without the intent to kill. It is similar in meaning to manslaughter but emphasizes the lack of intent.

  • Unintentional homicide charges were filed following the fatal car accident.
  • The court ruled it an unintentional homicide, citing inadequate safety measures.

Examples of usage

  • The court determined that the death was accidental and ruled it as manslaughter.
  • He was charged with manslaughter for causing the death of the victim in a car accident.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Legal Context

  • There are two main types: voluntary and involuntary, differing based on intent and circumstances.
  • In some places, manslaughter can carry a lighter sentence than murder, as it reflects accidental or less intentional harm.

Cultural Perspectives

  • Some famous cases in history highlight the difference between law and morality in manslaughter convictions.
  • Films and literature often depict the emotional turmoil faced by those accused of manslaughter, focusing on themes of guilt and redemption.

Psychology

  • Research shows that stress or traumatic events can lead to reckless actions resulting in manslaughter.
  • The psychology behind a moment of crisis might evoke actions that are not aligned with a person’s usual character.

Public Awareness

  • Awareness campaigns often focus on the consequences of reckless driving to prevent accidental manslaughter.
  • Manslaughter cases frequently raise conversations about justice, rehabilitation, and public safety in communities.

Origin of 'manslaughter'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from old English, where 'man' referred to humans and 'slaughter' meant to kill.
  • Originally, 'manslaughter' included various forms of killing and wasn't as strictly defined as today.

The term 'manslaughter' originated from the combination of 'man' and 'slaughter', with 'man' referring to a human being and 'slaughter' meaning the killing of animals for food. In legal contexts, manslaughter has been recognized as a distinct crime since ancient times, evolving to differentiate it from murder based on the presence or absence of malice aforethought. The concept of manslaughter has been refined over centuries to address various circumstances of unintentional killing within the framework of criminal law.

See also: slaughter, slaughterhouse.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,762, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.