Assassinate (&unr_;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Assassinated (&unr_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Assassinating (&unr_;).] [LL. assassinatus, p. p. of assassinare.] 1. To kill by surprise or secret assault; to murder by treacherous violence.
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Help, neighbors, my house is broken open by force, and I am ravished, and like to be assassinated. Dryden.
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2. To assail with murderous intent; hence, by extended meaning, to maltreat exceedingly. [Archaic]
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Your rhymes assassinate our fame. Dryden.
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Such usage as your honorable lords
Afford me, assassinated and betrayed. Milton.
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Syn. -- To kill; murder; slay. See Kill.
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