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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.

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