fratricide

noun

frat·​ri·​cide ˈfra-trə-ˌsīd 

1

: one that murders or kills his or her own brother or sister or an individual (such as a countryman) having a relationship like that of a brother or sister

2

: the act of a fratricide

fratricidal

ˌfra-trə-ˈsī-dᵊl 

adjective

Examples of fratricide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The fratricide overshadowed Caracalla’s achievements, including the passage of an edict granting all free men in the Roman Empire citizenship and the construction of a luxurious public bath complex that bore the emperor’s name. —Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Nov. 2024

This can particularly be a problem when aircraft are supporting ground troops in combat, a sometimes confusing situation where mistakes can lead to fratricide. —Paul Scharre, Foreign Affairs, 15 Feb. 2018

Here, Hamlet is a melancholy suburban prince named Juicy, in a Black family rocked by betrayal and fratricide and ghosts who pop out of backyard grills. —Chris Richards, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2023

The problem with the plan was fratricide, among other wanton cellular murders. —Jason Mast, STAT, 31 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

in sense 1, from Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin fratricida, from fratr-, frater brother + -cida -cide; in sense 2, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin fratricidium, from fratr-, frater + -cidium -cide

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

fratricide

noun

frat·​ri·​cide ˈfra-trə-ˌsīd 

1

: one that murders or kills his or her own brother or sister or an individual (as a countryman) having a relationship like that of a brother or sister

2

: the act of a fratricide

fratricidal

ˌfra-trə-ˈsīd-ᵊl 

adjective

Etymology

Middle French, from Latin fratricida, from fratr-, frater brother + -cida killing