Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
murtherous. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
murtherous, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
murtherous in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
murtherous you have here. The definition of the word
murtherous will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
murtherous, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From murther + -ous.
Adjective
murtherous (comparative more murtherous, superlative most murtherous)
- (archaic) Bloody; violent.
- Obsolete spelling of murderous (“intending or likely to commit murder; bloodthirsty, homicidal”).
1611, Randle Cotgrave, compiler, “Assassinat”, in A Dictionarie of the French and English Tongues, London: Adam Islip, →OCLC, signature G, recto, column 2:Aſſaſſinat: m. A murther, or murtherous act committed for gaine, or in hope of a revvard; alſo, a ſuddaine aſſault, made of ſet purpoſe, and vvith a murtherous intent, although th' aſſaulted be not killed.
1662, John Reynolds, “History XI”, in The Triumphs of Gods Revenge against the Crying and Execrable Sin of Murther. Book III, London: A. M. for William Lee, , →OCLC, page 152:De Salez her Husband ſtriving and ſtrugling for life againſt the pangs of death; fear and haſt (contrary to her intent and mind) had ſo made his murtherous wifes hand ſhake and tremble, as ſhe did not ſo fully cut his throat-bole, but he could yet both cry and groan, which he did very mournfully, and which indeed was ſoon over-heard by a man and a maid-ſervant of his, […]