Words / B2

uh-SAS-in/əˈsæsɪn/

An assassin is a person who murders a political or public figure, often for pay or a cause: a paid assassin; assassination. Murder is the broader crime (already in the dictionary); killer is everyday; executioner is official. Name the assassin in the source only if the extract names them, then the year. Mix-up: assassin vs assign (already in the dictionary); assassination as the act; do not write assassin for a soldier in open battle unless the source uses the word.

Meaning

A person who murders a political or public figure, often for pay or a cause.

Examples

• “Name the assassin in the source only if the extract names them, then the year, the history paper said.”
• “Assassination featured in the citizenship case, which is the act — still name the office held, not a film caption.”

Good to know

an assassin; a paid assassin; assassination. Broader: murderer. Contrast: executioner (official). Trap: assign / a battle death not named as assassination. History and citizenship. Someone who murders a public figure — name them only if the extract does.

Near in meaning

killer, murderer, hitman

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