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killer (n.)

late 15c., agent noun from kill (v.). But a surname, Ric[hard] Le Kyller is attested from 1288. Figurative use from 1550s. Meaning "impressive person or thing" is by 1900 (as an adjective, 1979); reduplicated form killer-diller attested by 1938. Killer whale is from 1854 (earlier simply killer 1725); killer instinct is attested from 1931, originally in boxing.

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Definitions of killer from WordNet

killer (n.)
someone who causes the death of a person or animal;
Synonyms: slayer
killer (n.)
the causal agent resulting in death;
heart disease is the biggest killer in the United States
Synonyms: cause of death
killer (n.)
a difficulty that is hard to deal with;
that exam was a real killer
killer (n.)
predatory black-and-white toothed whale with large dorsal fin; common in cold seas;
Synonyms: killer whale / orca / grampus / sea wolf / Orcinus orca
From wordnet.princeton.edu