asesinato
murder
noun ah-seh-see-NAH-toh Less Common
Origin: From Arabic 'hashshashin' (hashish users), referring to medieval assassins, via Spanish asesino.
Also means
assassination
Usage Note
Asesinato specifically implies premeditated killing (murder or assassination), distinguishing it from homicidio (homicide, which can be unintentional). El asesinato del presidente would mean 'the assassination of the president'. The perpetrator is el asesino / la asesina, and asesinar is the verb. Note the Arabic etymology via the historical Assassins sect.
Examples
"La policía investiga el asesinato ocurrido anoche."
Natural Translation
The police are investigating the murder that occurred last night.
Related Words
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