Word Study
killer
CIDE DICTIONARY
killer, n.
- One who deprives of life; one who, or that which, kills. [1913 Webster]
- A voracious, toothed whale of the genus
Orca , of which several species are known; called alsokiller whale . [1913 Webster]" The killers have a high dorsal fin, and powerful jaws armed with large, sharp teeth. They capture, and swallow entire, large numbers of seals, porpoises, and dolphins, and are celebrated for their savage, combined attacks upon the right whales, which they are said to mutilate and kill. The common Atlantic species (Orca gladiator ), is found both on the European and the American coast. Two species (Orca ater andOrca rectipinna ) occur on the Pacific coast." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
killer, n.
1 a a person, animal, or thing that kills. b a murderer.
2 colloq. a an impressive, formidable, or excellent thing (this one is quite difficult, but the next one is a real killer). b a hilarious joke. c a decisive blow (his brilliant header proved to be the killer).
1 a a person, animal, or thing that kills. b a murderer.
2 colloq. a an impressive, formidable, or excellent thing (this one is quite difficult, but the next one is a real killer). b a hilarious joke. c a decisive blow (his brilliant header proved to be the killer).
Idiom
killer instinct
1 an innate tendency to kill.
2 a ruthless streak. killer whale a voracious cetacean, Orcinus orca, with a white belly and prominent dorsal fin.
1 an innate tendency to kill.
2 a ruthless streak. killer whale a voracious cetacean, Orcinus orca, with a white belly and prominent dorsal fin.
THESAURUS
killer
Bluebeard, Cain, Mafioso, Young Turk, apache, assassin, assassinator, beast, beldam, berserk, berserker, bloodletter, bloodshedder, bomber, bravo, brute, bucko, bully, bullyboy, burker, butcher, button man, cannibal, cutthroat, daisy, demon, desperado, devil, dilly, dragon, eradicator, executioner, exterminator, fiend, fire-eater, firebrand, fury, garroter, goon, gorilla, gun, gunman, gunsel, hardnose, hatchet man, head-hunter, hell-raiser, hellcat, hellhound, hellion, hit man, holy terror, homicidal maniac, homicide, hood, hoodlum, hooligan, hothead, hotspur, humdinger, incendiary, lulu, mad dog, madcap, man-eater, man-killer, manslayer, massacrer, matador, monster, mugger, murderer, pesticide, poison, poisoner, rapist, revolutionary, rough, rowdy, ruffian, savage, she-wolf, slaughterer, slayer, spitfire, strangler, termagant, terror, terrorist, thug, tiger, tigress, torpedo, tough, tough guy, trigger man, ugly customer, violent, virago, vixen, wild beast, witch, wolfFor further exploring for "killer" in Webster Dictionary Online