Murder
Murder
Murder (/ˈmɜːrdər/) is the unlawful killing of another human without justification or valid excuse, especially the unlawful killing of another human with malice aforethought. This state of mind may, depending upon the jurisdiction, distinguish murder from other forms of unlawful homicide, such as manslaughter.
Etymology
The term "murder" originates from the Old English word 'morthor' which means secret killing of a person, or unlawful killing.
Related Terms
- Homicide: The act of a human killing another human.
- Manslaughter: A legal term for the killing of a human being, in a manner considered by law as less culpitable than murder.
- Justifiable homicide: A killing without evil or criminal intent, for which there can be no blame, such as self-defense to protect oneself or to protect another, or the shooting by a law enforcement officer in fulfilling his/her duties.
- Capital punishment: The death penalty, or execution is the sentence of death upon a person by the state as a punishment for an offence.
- Assassination: The act of killing a prominent person for either political, religious, or monetary reasons.
Legal Definitions
The precise definition of murder varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Under the common law of England, it was defined as killing another person with malice aforethought. This definition has evolved over time to reflect modern understanding of the term, and different jurisdictions have modified the definition of murder, sometimes significantly, to fit their own social and legal contexts.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Murder
- Wikipedia's article - Murder
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