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assassinate (v.)

1610s, from past participle stem of Medieval Latin assassinare (see assassin). "Assassinate means to kill wrongfully by surprise, suddenly, or by secret assault" [Century Dictionary]. Of reputations, characters, etc., from 1620s. Related: Assassinated; assassinating.

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Definitions of assassinate from WordNet

assassinate (v.)
murder; especially of socially prominent persons;
Anwar Sadat was assassinated because many people did not like his peace politics with Israel
assassinate (v.)
destroy or damage seriously, as of someone's reputation;
He assassinated his enemy's character
From wordnet.princeton.edu